On Friday, 31 January, AmCham EU’s Board of Directors welcomed Kazutoshi Aikawa, Japanese Ambassador to the EU. He was joined by Akie Hoshikawa, First Secretary and Tetsuya Uetake, Counsellor, Economic Section, Mission of Japan to the EU. The discussions covered a range of issues, particularly around the current geopolitical conditions and how our members can work with counterparts in Japan. The discussion also highlighted areas for continued collaboration on shared priorities between American business in Europe and Japan.
Engaging with the Japanese Ambassador to the EU

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Making web scraping rules work for AI
The European Data Protection Board’s draft guidelines on web scraping for generative AI are an opportunity to provide greater legal certainty and support Europe’s AI competitiveness. However, some proposed requirements risk creating disproportionate burdens for AI developers.
A pragmatic, risk-based approach is needed to ensure the rules reflect the technical realities of AI development. This includes proportionate transparency obligations, recognition of the need for diverse training datasets and greater alignment with the AI Act and Digital Omnibus. Clear, harmonised rules are essential to protect personal data while enabling innovation.
Read our consultation response to learn more about the recommendations.
On Thursday, 5 November, Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, spoke at a discussion hosted by Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung Europe and the Federation of German Industries (BDI) on EU-US trade relations after the US midterms. Mr Lohan stressed that elections change the conversation, though not necessarily the outcomes. While the midterms shift power on Capitol Hill, he was not sure this would extend to transatlantic relations, certainly not in the short term. He noted the Turnberry Agreement has brought much-needed predictability, but the relationship remains volatile, with flashpoints ahead that could put stability at risk. The agreement should be solidified and built on, with a move from strategic autonomy to strategic complementarity that will resonate in Washington. Exploring new avenues for partnering where interests align is worthwhile for a $9.8 trillion relationship that employs over 16 million people on both sides of the Atlantic. Learn more about the latest EU-US trade developments in the Transatlantic Economy Pulse.
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Digital Economy Conference 2026: in review
AmCham EU’s 13th Annual Transatlantic Digital Economy Conference took place on Thursday, 5 November, under the theme Cutting through complexity. The event brought together policymakers, regulators and industry leaders to discuss how clear, workable frameworks and closer EU-US cooperation can bring more coherence to the digital landscape and support economic growth.
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Insights and advocacy driving Europe’s policy agenda. Our priorities support growth, innovation and a stronger transatlantic economy.
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Connecting business and policymakers to strengthen the voice of American companies in Europe.