Crossed wires: how to reconnect transatlantic ties?

17 Mar 2026

13:30-18:30

Brussels, Belgium

At a time of growing economic uncertainty and geopolitical fragmentation, this year’s Transatlantic Conference delivered a clear message: the EU-US partnership remains indispensable, but it must adapt. From trade and competitiveness to innovation and security, discussions throughout the day underscored that closer cooperation is essential to sustain growth and shape global standards. While differences persist, rebuilding trust, simplifying the regulatory environment and maintaining open dialogue will be critical to unlocking the full potential of the transatlantic relationship.

Crossed wires: how to reconnect transatlantic ties?, explored how policymakers and industry can restore momentum in the relationship and cooperate to tackle new realities. Discussions focused on the future of transatlantic trade, Europe’s competitiveness, the role of lawmakers and how trust between partners can be reinforced.

Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, opened the conference by highlighting the continued importance of transatlantic cooperation for prosperity and stability. He then sat down with Michael Hager, Head of Cabinet to Commissioner Dombrovskis for a fireside chat. Their discussion focused on Europe’s economic outlook and the role policymakers can play in supporting simplification and competitiveness.

The conference then turned to the presentation of The Transatlantic Economy Report 2026, the annual survey of transatlantic jobs, trade and investment. Daniel Hamilton, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute, SAIS, Johns Hopkins University and Joseph Quinlan, Senior Fellow, Transatlantic Leadership Network presented the main findings, highlighting the depth of the EU-US economic relationship and key trends shaping trade and investment. Moderated by Thibaut L’Ortye, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer, AmCham EU, the session explored how the transatlantic economy continues to evolve in a changing global context.

$9.8 trillion

The value of the transatlantic economy (2025)

16 million

jobs

56%

Europe’s share of U.S. FDI worldwide (2009–2025

$2.3 tn

Trade in goods and services (U.S.-Europe, est. 2025)

$7.5 tn

Foreign affiliate sales (U.S. in Europe; Europe in the U.S., est. 2025)

The first panel, Beyond tariffs: reimagining transatlantic trade for the next decade, examined how the EU and US can overcome ongoing trade tensions and modernise their trade relationship. Payne Griffin, Senior Director, FTI Consulting; Antoine Janssens, Vice-President Business Transformation, Chevron Phillips Chemical; Matthias Jørgensen, Acting Director, the Americas, Agriculture and Food Safety and Head of Unit, USA and Canada, Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, European Commission and Kathleen Van Brempt, MEP (BE, S&D) discussed the importance of addressing economic security, strengthening supply chains and ensuring competitiveness. Moderated by Suzanne Lynch, Brussels Bureau Chief, Bloomberg the discussion highlighted the need to update the transatlantic trade agenda to reflect new economic realities.

Attention then shifted to lawmakers’ perspectives on the transatlantic agenda. Brando Benifei, MEP (IT, S&D), Representative Jim Costa (D-CA) and Inese Vaidere, MEP (EPP, LV), shared views on strengthening cooperation on competitiveness, security and economic policy. Moderated by Jeanna Smialek, Brussels Bureau Chief, The New York Times, the discussion underscored the importance of continued dialogue between legislators to address shared economic and geopolitical challenges.

The final panel, Trust, cooperation and the way forward, explored how closer collaboration can support innovation, competitiveness and resilience. Penny Naas, Senior Vice-President, Innovation and Competitiveness and Brussels Office Director, German Marshall Fund; Despina Spanou, Deputy Director-General, Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission and Pastora Valero, Senior Vice-President, International Government Affairs, Cisco, discussed how policymakers and industry can work together to reinforce trust and advance the transatlantic agenda. Moderated by Laurens Cerulus, Cybersecurity Editor and Deputy Technology Editor, POLITICO, the discussion highlighted the importance of maintaining open channels for cooperation in an increasingly complex global landscape.