The Hon. Ronald Gidwitz shared his views on the need for more transatlantic cooperation in responding to the COVID-19 crisis and close coordination for the economic recovery in his first meeting with AmCham EU since being appointed Acting Representative of the United States to the European Union. The meeting took place over video conference on Tuesday, 19 May 2020 and it was an opportunity for Maxime Bureau, Chairman, AmCham EU and Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU to congratulate him on his new appointment on behalf of the membership and to introduce AmCham EU’s priorities as well as to hear his.

The exchange of views focused on the current COVID-19 crisis with both sides discussing some of the initiatives they have been working on, namely the sharing of information, supporting US companies in Europe and coordinating closely with EU stakeholders. Discussions also focused on the way forward and on what can be done to get the economy back on track. The economic recovery following the COVID-19 crisis will be a massive undertaking that will require governments, businesses and citizens to work together.

The Hon. Ronald Gidwitz and AmCham EU both agreed that EU and US alignment on policies and priorities will ensure a strong recovery for the benefit of businesses and citizens on both sides of the Atlantic and overall globally. Michael Lally, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs, US Mission to the EU and Bart Putney, Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs, US Mission to the EU also joined the call.

Discussions closed with some focus on the outlook for an EU-US trade agreement, both sides expressed the need to have more progress and hoped that the current context should be a catalyst to get an agreement and strengthen the relationship. AmCham EU looks forward to working closely with the Acting Representative of the United States to the European Union and his team at the US Mission to the EU.