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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

The Omnibus I political agreement announced yesterday broadly eases the sustainability compliance and due diligence burden for businesses under the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), giving much-needed certainty to businesses. It is a significant achievement for the EU’s simplification agenda and ongoing efforts to reduce the regulatory burden. Specifically, the flexibility introduced in terms of the risk-based approach and how companies need to define adverse impacts will alleviate most of the excessive burden that existed under the original CSDDD. The revised transposition timeline of CSDDD to 2029 will also give all parties the necessary time to prepare for implementation.  

However, it appears that EU policymakers did not yet sufficiently tackle how these rules apply to the global activities of companies and groups – for example, by limiting the scope of the CSDDD to only those products and services with a logical link to the EU. This is a missed opportunity with far-reaching consequences that keeps legal uncertainty in place for global firms and their supply chains.  This oversight on extraterritorial impact will make the CSDDD more difficult for policymakers to implement and monitor and risks creating confusing overlap with other jurisdictions’ rules. 

The EU must use the next steps in the policy-making process – including implementing measures, guidance and future reviews – to fix outstanding challenges in both the CSDDD and the CSRD. In particular, clearer rules on when and how EU legislation impacts global business activities would give companies the predictability they need to invest and support sustainability investments. 

On Tuesday, 9 December, AmCham EU hosted a discussion on the Food and Feed Omnibus and its role in simplifying Europe’s agri-food legislation. The conversation explored how a more coherent, innovation-friendly framework can reduce complexity and ease the administrative burden across the value chain. The discussion also underlined the importance of aligning regulation with scientific and technological progress, while reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy. Effective collaboration between policymakers and industry remains essential to ensure the Omnibus delivers practical improvements for operators throughout the agri-food sector.

During the panel, participants heard from Tyler Babcock, Senior Agricultural Attaché, US Mission to the European Union; Dr Eugene Kevin Foley-Friel, Agriculture Attaché, Permanent Representation of Ireland to the European Union and Astrid Sofie Vestergaard Nielsen, Food Attaché, Permanent Representation of Denmark to the European Union. The discussion was moderated by David Mills (Mondelēz International), Chair, Communications Group; Member of the Board of Directors and Vice-Chair, Agriculture & Food Committee, AmCham EU.

On Monday, 5 December 2025, AmCham EU hosted the Honorable Andrew Puzder, United States Ambassador to the European Union, for an evening marking his first few months in Brussels. The reception opened with remarks from Liam Benham (Boeing), Chair and Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU Ambassador Puzder shared his initial impressions and outlined his priorities for the US Mission to the EU. With over 200 attendees, we concluded the evening with an informal networking session featuring US-themed food and refreshments, offering further opportunity for open dialogue and connection with the Ambassador and his team. 

On Monday, 8 December, AmCham EU hosted a lunch to mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Held at 65 degrés, a Brussels-based restaurant that employs staff with disabilities, the event highlighted the value of inclusive workplaces. The lunch provided an opportunity for business representatives to exchange with EU stakeholders on how the private sector is advancing inclusion. Discussions also focused on how collaboration between public institutions and businesses can foster equal opportunities and promote a more accessible and inclusive society for all. 

Amongst others, Andriana Sukova, Deputy Director-General, Directorate General, Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, European Commission and Didrik de Schaetzen, Secretary General, ALDE Party joined the discussion. 

On Friday, 5 December, AmCham EU continued its tradition of hosting members, staff, family and friends for an afternoon of giving back to the community. During the event, we packed boxes with nonperishable items for The Samaritans’ Shoe-Box project, which have been delivered to Eglise du Finistere in Brussels. They will now be distributed to those in need around the city. Thanks to everyone who joined!