In her 2026 State of the Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen described ‘a complex age of great possibilities and great perils’. From geopolitical tensions and energy prices to supply chain disruption, businesses operating in Europe face this reality every day. It is an environment that underscores the need for a strong Europe. A stronger, more united Europe is a more attractive place for American companies to invest.
A strong Europe benefits partners around the world
:focal())
:focal(1267x654:1268x655))
:focal())
Economic competitiveness
The economy was rightly the number one priority in the President’s speech, and she was forthright in recognising that the EU’s economic competitiveness challenges are far from solved. The EU must move faster on simplifying its rulebook and removing excessive red tape. The 12 Omnibus packages proposed since the start of the mandate are signs of progress, but, as the President noted, ‘speed is of the essence’ if businesses are to feel the impact on the ground.
That sense of urgency must apply at every level. The President was right to call on Member States to play their part. Uneven implementation and practices like Member State gold-plating fragment the number one driver of investment into Europe: the Single Market. At the same time, long before implementation, the EU must take a ‘simplification by design’ approach to new legislative initiatives, avoiding unnecessary duplication and fragmentation. Too often, we are still seeing new legislation fall back on old habits.
:focal())
Partnerships
Europe prospers when it remains open to the world. The President noted the power of the EU’s trade deals with partners around the world. Alongside strengthening the Single Market, opening up new paths to diversify its sources of growth and investment is how Europe keeps its supply chains resilient and its economy strong in a time of geopolitical volatility.
One partnership that remains essential to Europe’s success is the Europe-US commercial relationship. As a key source of jobs, innovation and investment on both sides of the Atlantic, the €8.5 trillion transatlantic economy is central to Europe’s prosperity and competitiveness.
:focal())
Climate
The President’s speech also recognised that competitiveness and the climate transition must reinforce one another. We do not agree with those who see a zero-sum choice between maintaining climate ambition and reducing regulatory burdens. Businesses must develop, deploy and scale the low-carbon technologies needed to make the transition possible. To unlock that investment, they need the right conditions to invest with confidence.
This is the question for the EU more broadly. Delivering on the long list of priorities set out in the State of the Union address will depend on one test: can the EU create the right conditions for investment? A strong economy, built on openness and partnerships, will be the foundation on which the EU forges its own path in this complex age.
Related items
:focal())
News
10 Sep 2026
Welcoming Brussels back to business
On Wednesday, 9 September, AmCham EU joined 19 other associations to mark Brussels’ return from the summer break at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences. The event drew over 800 guests and included a keynote speech by Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. The evening provided a platform for stakeholders from industry, politics, civil society and media to connect. This year’s conversations focused on Europe’s place in a changing world and the policies needed to boost growth and the EU’s competitiveness.
:focal())
News
9 Sep 2026
Public Procurement Act: an ambitious step forward for simplified procurement in the EU
The European Commission’s new Public Procurement Act (PPA) proposal is a positive step for procurement in the EU. It would support Europe’s competitiveness by allowing governments and public authorities to access best-in-class products. Similarly, it would simplify procurement through consistent auction design and digitalisation, leading to greater transparency and document reuse. Together, these reforms would help governments invest public revenues in innovative solutions, while tearing down the barriers that keep companies of all sizes from accessing public procurement markets in Europe.
International companies bring significant value to the EU’s public procurement markets. The PPA would allow them to continue contributing to the EU through a clear framework for Made in Europe built around the EU’s public procurement agreements. Undermining these commitments or creating excessive compliance costs would decrease the EU’s access to best-in-class solutions and take limited resources away from the PPA’s other improvements. The current proposal would further the EU's economic security agenda without closing off procurement markets to trusted partners. The PPA can succeed if it creates a simple and quality-driven system that supports the EU’s competitiveness agenda.
:focal())
Position Paper
14 Jul 2026
Recalibrating the EU ETS: delivering decarbonisation without deindustrialisation
Europe’s carbon market must cut emissions without cutting industrial production. In some industries, emissions have fallen alongside output and plant closures. The EU ETS revision should ensure that progress towards 2050 comes from investment and technology, not deindustrialisation.
The Linear Reduction Factor should be adjusted after 2030 so allowances remain available through 2050. ETS revenues should support decarbonisation projects, while free allocation should continue where alternatives are not available at scale.
For aviation and maritime transport, EU rules should align with international frameworks. Data centres should be removed from the scope where emissions come mainly from backup generators. These changes would link emissions reductions to investment while limiting the relocation of production outside Europe.
Policy priorities
Insights and advocacy driving Europe’s policy agenda. Our priorities support growth, innovation and a stronger transatlantic economy.
Membership
Connecting business and policymakers to strengthen the voice of American companies in Europe.