Fighting the economic impact of COVID-19 with a more united EU and a stronger EU-US relationship

For our last ‘Town Hall’ for members, AmCham EU connected with Peter Beyer, Member and Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation, German Bundestag.

 

During the meeting, Peter shared his insights on the COVID-19 emergency and its impact on the EU as well as on the EU-US relationship. He stressed that the COVID-19 outbreak showed the fragility of cross-border cooperation in times of crisis and the need for a stronger and more united EU. According to him, stronger competences at the EU level are needed to allow for an effective response to the crisis, especially with regard to its economic impact. Peter noted that the extent to which the EU will be able to do that depends on the willingness of the Member States which are still very divided with regard to the economic recovery plan. 

 

As for the impact on the EU-US relationship, Peter indicated that the pandemic showed the need for more intensified transatlantic cooperation. Being natural allies, he added, the EU and the US need to start discussing a free trade agreement without further delay.   

News
14 Jun 2020
Fighting the economic impact of COVID-19 with a more united EU and a stronger EU-US relationship

For our last ‘Town Hall’ for members, AmCham EU connected with Peter Beyer, Member and Coordinator of Transatlantic Cooperation, German Bundestag.

 

During the meeting, Peter shared his insights on the COVID-19 emergency and its impact on the EU as well as on the EU-US relationship. He stressed that the COVID-19 outbreak showed the fragility of cross-border cooperation in times of crisis and the need for a stronger and more united EU. According to him, stronger competences at the EU level are needed to allow for an effective response to the crisis, especially with regard to its economic impact. Peter noted that the extent to which the EU will be able to do that depends on the willingness of the Member States which are still very divided with regard to the economic recovery plan. 

 

As for the impact on the EU-US relationship, Peter indicated that the pandemic showed the need for more intensified transatlantic cooperation. Being natural allies, he added, the EU and the US need to start discussing a free trade agreement without further delay.   

Related items

Position Paper
9 Apr 2026

Priorities for a pro-growth Tax Omnibus

The Tax Omnibus presents a critical opportunity to modernise the EU tax framework in light of the evolving international framework, notably the implementation of Pillar 2. Many existing directives were designed in response to earlier Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) measures and now impose duplicative, fragmented and resource-intensive requirements on businesses. These burdens undermine tax certainty, increase compliance costs and weaken the EU’s attractiveness as an investment destination.

Tax
Simplification
Read more
Read more about Priorities for a pro-growth Tax Omnibus
Blog
3 Apr 2026

FSR compliance: ​complexity undermining competitiveness​

The EU proposed the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) in 2021 to address foreign subsidies distorting the Single Market. Operating as a screening instrument behind merger control, it requires companies to notify the European Commission of foreign financial contributions (FFCs) they may receive when participating in public procurement or mergers and acquisitions activity. Preventing FFCs from distorting the Single Market is an important goal – and one that must be achieved without creating its own disruptions.

Competition
Read more
Read more about FSR compliance: ​complexity undermining competitiveness​
Blog
2 Apr 2026

One year on from ‘Liberation Day’, the transatlantic economy still stands strong – but it needs stability

Authored by Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU

Trade
Transatlantic
Trade tensions
Read more
Read more about One year on from ‘Liberation Day’, the transatlantic economy still stands strong – but it needs stability