On Tuesday, 21 September, AmCham EU hosted a plenary meeting on trade and external affairs. Ahead of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and in the context of renewed EU-US cooperation through the Trade and Technology Council, the plenary meeting discussed the role of the EU-US relationship in the future of the WTO and the global trading system.
After COVID-19: what is the future of the global trade network?
On Tuesday, 21 September, AmCham EU hosted a plenary meeting on trade and external affairs. Ahead of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and in the context of renewed EU-US cooperation through the Trade and Technology Council, the plenary meeting discussed the role of the EU-US relationship in the future of the WTO and the global trading system.
The plenary commenced with a panel on the impact of COVID-19 on the global trading system, moderated by Florian Wastl, Director Public Affairs Europe, Mars Incorporated and Vice-Chair of the Trade and External Affairs Committee at AmCham EU. The panel featured representatives from both sides of the Atlantic including Peter Chase, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund; Christina Falcone, Vice-president of Public Affairs, UPS; Erland Herfindahl, Senior Trade Representative, US Mission to the EU and Polina Khomenko, Policy Coordinator, WTO Policy and Negotiations, European Commission. Discussion centred around the need for an ambitious transatlantic vision and the initiatives underway for WTO reform.
The panel was followed by a keynote address delivered by Angela Ellard, Deputy Director-General of the World Trade Organisation focused on WTO reform and the organisation’s priorities. A stronger EU-US relationship was identified as the key driver to sustain and strengthen the WTO. The 12th WTO Ministerial Conference, taking place in November of this year, was earmarked as an opportunity for the EU and the US to demonstrate their leadership. These include, fisheries subsidies, vaccine distribution equity and internal reforms on issues such as the appellate body and the role of the secretariat.
The plenary demonstrated the vast array of challenges which, with increased cooperation on both sides of the Atlantic, can move towards resolution. The current momentum for transatlantic cooperation should be harnessed in order to achieve tangible results in EU-US international coordination and regulatory cooperation.
AmCham EU has been actively supporting these efforts through the publication of our position paper on emerging areas for EU-US cooperation, our study on rebooting the transatlantic economy and our platform Thriving Together dedicated to exploring the depths of the transatlantic relationship.
Related items
:focal())
Publication
16 Mar 2026
The Transatlantic Economy 2026
Following a year of political and trade tensions between Europe and the United States, commercial ties between the two sides – the deepest and broadest between any two regions in history – have held remarkably strong. In a new study from the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) and the US Chamber of Commerce, authors Daniel Hamilton and Joseph Quinlan value the transatlantic economy at a record $9.8 trillion in 2025, up from $9.5 trillion the previous year. This figure comprises an estimated record $2.3 trillion in goods and services trade between Europe and the United States and $7.5 trillion in combined affiliate sales.
:focal())
News
13 Mar 2026
Discussing digital policy priorities with MEPs in Strasbourg
From Monday, 9 to Wednesday, 11 March 2026, AmCham EU travelled to the European Parliament in Strasbourg for a series of meetings with policymakers to discuss ongoing EU digital policy initiatives. The delegation met with members of the European Parliament, accredited parliamentary assistants and group policy advisers , to discuss priorities for the EU’s digital agenda. This includes exchanges on AI Omnibus, Digital Omnibus, Cybersecurity Act review, the Digital Networks Act and the upcoming Cloud and AI Development Act. Throughout the meetings, members emphasised the importance of urgent action to support the simplification of overlapping digital rules, strengthening cybersecurity while avoiding fragmentation in the Single Market and supporting innovation through proportionate, risk-based regulation.
:focal(1377x495:1378x496))
News
13 Mar 2026
Getting the view from Washington, DC with Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador to the US
On Thursday, 12 March, AmCham EU hosted Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador to the US for a townhall discussion on the outlook for EU–US relations and the evolving economic and geopolitical environment shaping the transatlantic partnership. Moderated by Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, participants reflected on the importance of maintaining a strong and stable transatlantic relationship that continues to underpin investment, innovation and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
The discussion explored perspectives from Washington on the current state of the partnership, the work of the EU Delegation in engaging US policymakers in Washington, DC and the outlook for transatlantic trade and economic cooperation. Participants also examined how the EU and the US can preserve open investment flows, avoid escalation in trade tensions and work together to address shared challenges such as global overcapacity and supply chain resilience.
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.