The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) fully recognises the pressure on public authorities in the EU and around the world to ensure timely access to COVID-19 vaccines. A strong economic recovery – and the return to normal life – relies on global access to vaccinations in a timely manner. Striving for this shared goal, stakeholders from both the public and private sectors are collaborating intensely to resolve the rapidly-evolving situation around the supply of vaccines.

AmCham EU is concerned that recent moves on export controls will fall short of their intended objectives. These measures risk disturbing the tightly calibrated and highly integrated supply chains used for the manufacturing and distribution of vaccines to patients globally. This can cause a ripple effect. In addition, restricting exports may spark retaliation from international partners, leading to further interruptions and ultimately hindering supply.

Putting an end to the COVID-19 crisis will only be possible through global cooperation. We encourage the EU, its Member States and other governments to increase collaboration as well as intensify the ongoing dialogue and partnership with industry. This will be critical in ensuring global access to COVID-19 vaccines and in mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the well-being of citizens and our economies.