News

New US Ambassador to the EU visits AmCham EU

On Tuesday, 1 February, The Honorable Mark Gitenstein, US Ambassador to the EU, met with Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU, to discuss key priorities for the American business community in Europe. AmCham EU looks forward to collaborating closely with Ambassador Gitenstein and his team at the US Mission to the EU as we continue to strengthen the transatlantic partnership.

EU industrial ecosystems on the path to the green and digital transition

Industry is a critical sector in Europe, accounting for more than 32 million jobs. It is also an enabler of the economic recovery, powering the green and digital transitions across the Single Market. To improve the region’s global competitiveness, the EU’s industrial strategy should focus on digitalising European industry, creating the right environment for a clean future, accelerating the EU circular economy and reinforcing the rules-based trading system. Join the conversation this week at the EU Industry Days, which will focus on the role of youth in shaping the future of industry. Read more about our priorities here.

From pandemic to recovery: what does 2022 hold in store for the EU and the world

During the first plenary meeting of the year on Tuesday, 25 January, AmCham EU welcomed Suzanne Lynch, Playbook Brussels co-author, POLITICO Europe and Alex Pigman, Brussels correspondent, Agence France-Presse for an interactive session diving into the news stories that will likely dominate the headlines in 2022 and the overall political trends that will drive the conversation in Brussels and beyond. The panel was moderated by Victoria Main, CEO, SEC Newgate EU and Member of the Board at AmCham EU. During the meeting, the 2022 Strategic Plan was also presented and a new member was voted in: General Motors.

Forging Europe’s recovery together: health preparedness

COVID-19 has taught us the importance of ensuring our healthcare systems are resilient and prepared to face future health threats. Andrea Chiarello (Pfizer) discusses how collaboration between industry and public authorities can increase European innovation potential and attract private investment in life sciences and healthcare. Watch to find out what lessons EU policymakers should draw from the pandemic.  

Leadership update

AmCham EU is pleased to announce the results of the elections that took place from December till mid-January and welcome new and re-elected leaders. We wish successful terms to Carsten Dannöhl (Caterpillar); Nicola del Valle de Sousa Gavaia (McDonald’s); Alexander Majer (First Solar); Simona Popa (InterDigital); Sofia Trenor (Amazon); and Felix Uedelhoven (GE). 

The Secretariat would also like to thank those who are stepping down for the extraordinary work they completed during their terms: Kate Ballentyne (former Chevron); Veronika Bendere (MSD), who remains as Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force; Luca Bellomo (MSD); Taggart Davis (JP Morgan Chase Co); Walter Van der Meiren (UPS), who remains as Chair of the Customs and Trade Facilitation Committee; and Benjamin Neyt (LVMH).

More details about the leadership changes mentioned above can be found here.  

Forging Europe’s recovery together: inclusivity

COVID-19 has created a crisis with deep socio-economic consequences and groups like women, youth, immigrants and people with disabilities have been disproportionally affected by the impacts of the pandemic. Inclusion should be at the heart of Europe’s recovery. Aliki Foinikopoulou (Salesforce), Vice-Chair, Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, AmCham EU discusses how closing the skills gap, designing upskilling programs for the workforce and creating more job opportunities will ensure the EU’s just and inclusive recovery. 

Mark Gitenstein confirmed as new US Ambassador to the EU

Following a vote in the United States Senate on Saturday, 18 December 2021, Mark Gitenstein has been confirmed as the United States Ambassador to the European Union.

The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) congratulates Ambassador Gitenstein on his confirmation. We look forward to welcoming him to Europe and to collaborating closely with him and his team as we continue to build and strengthen the transatlantic partnership.

Ensuring harmonisation and consistency across due diligence frameworks

A harmonised approach to due diligence across the EU can help ensure respect for human rights and the environment. The proliferation of due diligence policies at various levels risks diverting resources towards compliance, instead of promoting collective action. AmCham EU alongside thirteen industry associations and business initiatives issued a joint statement outlining priorities that will ensure harmonisation and consistency across due diligence frameworks as well as alignment with the objectives of the EU Green Deal. Read the full statement. 

Friend-shoring: Boosting Supply Chain Resilience

To discuss the future of  EU-US cooperation, Susan Danger joined a panel titled 'Reshoring or “Friend-shoring”: Boosting Supply Chain Resilience' at the Transatlantic Business Works Summit organised by the US Chamber of Commerce. The panellists highlighted the challenges that global supply chains are facing today and emphasised the importance of a strengthened transatlantic partnership in securing critical production and distribution.