News

Uniting for diversity: Johnson Controls’ ‘perspectives’ initiative

In our latest video, Larry Leverett, Vice-President and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and General Counsel, Global Services, Johnson Controls tells us about the company’s ‘perspectives’ sessions, where people from all levels and geographies of the organisation tell their stories from their perspective. This initiative enables others to learn and share in the different perspectives of their colleagues, which in turn helps to build the knowledge, empathy and connection that allows the workforce to work more collaboratively together. Check out all videos showcasing our companies’ contributions to diversity and inclusion at our dedicated webpage!

Transatlantic Conference 2021: in review

This year’s Transatlantic Week, set against the need to rebuild a world economy devastated by the impact of COVID-19 and to ensure future healthy, connected and sustainable societies, was themed ‘Global leadership: A transatlantic opportunity’. The activities of the week opened on Wednesday, 24 March for the first time entirely digitised with a keynote by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Transatlantic Conference 2021 Day 3: the transatlantic digital economy

The third day of AmCham EU’s all-digital Transatlantic Conference 2021 took place on Friday, 26 March. Opening remarks from Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU and Zeger Vercouteren, Chair, AmCham EU (J&J) emphasised the speed with which digital technologies are transforming our economies and societies, a trend which has been further accelerated by the COVID-19 health pandemic.

Transatlantic Conference 2021 Day 1: transatlantic trade

The 15th edition of AmCham EU’s Transatlantic Conference kicked off on Wednesday, 24 March. This 2021 edition, which is completely digitised, will take place in three instalments between Wednesday, 24 March and Friday, 26 March. The theme for the first day of the conference was the transatlantic trade agenda. Opening remarks from Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU and Zeger Vercouteren, Chair, AmCham EU (J&J) set the tone of optimism for intensified cooperation between the EU and the US, as the new US administration pivots back towards Europe.

Emerging areas for EU-US cooperation

The transatlantic economy remains the largest, most prosperous and most innovative of its kind in the world – and it continues to grow. The EU and the US should seize the renewed optimism and positive momentum to advance and deepen the world’s largest trade and investment relationship. While they can build on decades of efforts to enhance regulatory cooperation and remove barriers to trade and investment, they should also address new and emerging issues that arise from the transformation of our economies. In a new document, the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) presents ideas for EU-US cooperation across a wide range of sectors and industries. Read more here.

Accelerating digitalisation - a healthy approach

On Thursday, 18 March, AmCham EU and AmCham Portugal together hosted the third event of the Portuguese Presidency series focused on digital healthcare. Dr Diogo Serras Lopes, Secretary of State, Ministry of Health, Portugal, delivered the opening keynote speech; delineating Portugal’s ambitions in the digital health space. The panel discussion featured Monique Goyens, Director-General, the European Consumer Organisation; Andrzej Ryś, Director, Health systems, Medical products and Innovation, DG SANTE, European Commission; and Sónia Santos, Associate Director, Health and Public Administration, Accenture. The discussion was moderated by Zeger Vercouteren, Vice-President, Worldwide Government Affairs & Policy EMEA and Global Supply Chain Initiatives, J&J; and Chair, AmCham EU. The event focused on the future of digital healthcare centering on issues of trust in data, use of technology in healthcare and how to ensure digitalisation of healthcare across the EU evolves together with society.

Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability: towards targeted improvements based on better regulation

On Tuesday, 9 March AmCham EU published its position paper on the EU Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. The paper offers a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities that AmCham EU members wish to highlight within this important initiative. It highlights our support for the EU’s ambitions to strengthen the existing framework for EU chemicals policy to help achieve greater sustainability and competitiveness moving forward. It also welcomes some elements of the proposal which help clarify and streamline the system as it currently works. Read our position here.

AmCham EU voted best trade association in Brussels

AmCham EU has been voted Best EU Trade Association of the year by BestinBrussels. A jury of senior consultants was asked to name one EU Trade Association which exemplifies best-practice, best-in-class EU lobbying in Brussels, the most cited response was AmCham EU.

Over the last year, AmCham EU and its members navigated nimbly the immense uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. This recognition reminds us that we need to be proud of what we have achieved together and shows that our reputation as a trusted policy partner remains strong.

Europe Today: Susan Danger shares perspectives at webinar

How do business interests align with the European political agenda? That was the overarching question of the day at the ‘Europe Today: What Associations Need to Know’ webinar discussion hosted by the American Society of Association Executives and sponsored by Visit Brussels on Tuesday, 9 March. Guest panellists included Nele Devolder, Association Director, Kellen; Marsha Turner, CEO, International Association of Lighting Directors; Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU.