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Cyprus assumes the Presidency of the Council of the European Union at a decisive moment for the EU’s simplification agenda, with up to six Omnibus packages on the table in the first half of 2026. The Presidency’s programme spans security, Mediterranean policy, water resilience and strategic autonomy – all critical priorities. But none can succeed without a strong, competitive economy that fosters innovation and growth. In this context, AmCham EU’s Recommendations to the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the European Union sets out concrete actions to advance a competitive, secure and open EU economy. These proposals aim to help shape Europe into an attractive place for businesses to invest, operate and grow. 

On Tuesday 2 December, Thibaut L’Ortye, Senior Director of Public Affairs, AmCham EU presented The Transatlantic Economy 2025 report at AmCham Luxembourg’s Transatlantic Trade and Investment event. Stacey Feinberg, US Ambassador to Luxembourg highlighted the strong ties between Luxembourg and the US, with over 150,000 people employed thanks to the partnership. During his section, Mr L’Ortye presented the results of the report, with a particular focus on the resiliency of the EU-US relationship. Despite differing views on certain issues, the transatlantic partnership remains the most integrated in the world, directly responsible for 16 million jobs and one third of global GDP.

AmCham EU is pleased to announce a new record in membership, closing the year with 169 member companies. This milestone highlights the continued commitment of US businesses operating in Europe and the collective effort to strengthen the transatlantic relationship. We thank all our members for their trust and engagement. We look forward to continued collaboration in 2026. Hear more on this milestone from Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU here.

By 2035, high-tech roles will make up a significant share of employment across the EU, yet many young people still lack the digital skills needed to succeed. Amazon is helping bridge this gap through initiatives in Poland and Spain. In Warsaw, the company supports STEM Kindloteka, a modern hub offering young people free, interactive workshops in coding, robotics and virtual reality. In Spain, Amazon is working with the Ministry of Education, Vocational Training and Sports to train 500,000 students in digital and technological skills by 2027. These efforts strengthen Europe’s talent pipeline and support long-term competitiveness. Learn more about Amazon’s commitment to digital skills development on Invested in Europe. 

The European Commission’s Environmental Omnibus proposal is a positive first step towards reducing the administrative and regulatory burdens on businesses operating in the EU. Key measures such as streamlining permitting, simplifying industrial emissions reporting, removing the SCIP database and easing Extended Producer Responsibility schemes would help create more efficient and harmonised processes across the EU. Additionally, the proposal’s indication of upcoming work on the Circular Economy Act and the swift implementation of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation would further support a simplified regulatory environment.

By improving efficiency and predictability, the proposal would help foster a stable, investment-driven market in Europe and reinforce the case for sustainable practices. To fully deliver on the potential to reduce burdens for business, co-legislators must now move the Environmental Omnibus across the finish line. AmCham EU stands ready to serve as a resource in their efforts. These simplification initiatives in environmental regulation are crucial to maintaining Europe’s global standing as a hub for business and innovation. 

The Environmental Omnibus proposal is part of the Commission’s simplification agenda and follows its proposed Chemicals Omnibus, which introduced related environmental simplifications in July 2025. These important initiatives continue to drive efforts to cut red tape, reduce regulatory burdens and enhance the EU’s competitiveness.

AmCham EU has joined eight industry associations to propose several ways to increase the Foreign Subsidies Regulation’s (FSR) proportionality and efficiency. Two years after its entry into force, the FSR has proven overly burdensome, impacting investment decisions and creating uncertainty for companies operating in the EU. The current scope requires excessive data collection and complex filings, diverting resources from growth and innovation. The coalition urges the European Commission to refine the FSR to focus on truly distortive subsidies, streamline procedures and strengthen data protection. Learn how targeted adjustments to the FSR can safeguard fair competition while boosting Europe’s competitiveness in the joint industry statement