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On Thursday, 29 January, AmCham EU hosted a roundtable focused on defence policy with Andrew Puzder, US Ambassador to the European Union and Matthew Whitaker, US Ambassador to NATO. With senior leaders from US companies active in Europe’s defence markets, the discussion focused on the evolving defence policy landscape at the EU and NATO and the importance of transatlantic industrial cooperation in responding to today’s security challenges. Participants exchanged views on how openness of EU regulation, procurement and funding initiatives can better support speed, scale and interoperability among NATO Allies while building on the strengths of the transatlantic defence industrial base. 

Ahead of the Committee on International Trade’s (INTA) meeting in the European Parliament on Monday, 26 January 2026, AmCham EU reiterates its call to advance the Commission’s tariff reduction proposals as part of the wider EU-US Framework Agreement. We understand MEPs’ caution following a week of renewed transatlantic tensions, but do not see the tariff reduction proposals as the right avenue for addressing these issues. The Framework Agreement remains the best available option for securing a more positive, productive EU-US trade and investment climate that helps businesses plan ahead.  

As part of the Agreement, the EU and the US made a range of initial commitments. Last September, the US took its first step by updating its tariff schedule on EU products. The two tariff reduction proposals are how the EU shows its commitment to follow suit. This is just the start of the longer-term process of implementing the deal. Later, there will be opportunities to address other issues important to businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. A functioning EU-US economic relationship is critical to millions of American and European businesses and livelihoods.  

The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) is concerned about recent developments that may fundamentally undermine the EU-US Framework Agreement and lead to tit-for-tat measures that will hurt American and European companies. If the dispute escalates, it could quickly spread across large parts of the economy, with far-reaching knock-on effects. It would cause severe damage to economic welfare and security on both sides. A negotiated outcome must urgently be found.

The rules-based international system brings certainty and stability to business relations around the world to the benefit of all companies operating across borders. When the time is right, both sides should seek to return to the spirit of the EU-US Framework Agreement, as the best available way to safeguard the EUR 8.7 trillion transatlantic economy.