NATO summit: defence industry partnerships are central to transatlantic security
News
25 Jun 2025
Transatlantic, Security, defence and space

The 2025 NATO summit saw Allies reaffirm their commitment to collective defence and enhance the long-term resilience of the Alliance through increased defence spending. In a contested geopolitical environment, carrying forward the legacy of transatlantic defence cooperation is an essential pillar of regional stability.

Businesses have long thrived from the security brought about by transatlantic defence cooperation, but they have also played a role in sustaining it. For decades, the European and American defence industries have been closely integrated, partnering through co-development, co-production and co-sustainment projects to meet the region’s defence needs. American companies remain committed to working with European companies and governments to continue meeting these needs.  

Maximising the potential of this transatlantic defence industrial cooperation requires stronger institutional coordination between the EU and NATO. NATO should remain the central actor guiding interoperability and standardisation among Allies. The EU, for its part, must continue to support these objectives with aligned policies and investments. Cooperating in this way will improve efficiency and ensure both institutions build on their respective strengths. 

Related items

News
12 Nov 2026

Keeping Europe open and competitive with our Executive Council

Predictability in EU-US relations and Europe’s competitiveness agenda, from simplification to European preference, were centre stage during our Executive Council Fall Plenary on Monday, 9 and Tuesday, 10 November. Our senior business leaders met with EU, US, Canadian and Member State policymakers, as well as industry and think-tank leaders, to discuss the pressures shaping investment decisions in Europe.

The group engaged with the following: Nerijus Aleksiejūnas, Permanent Representative of Lithuania to the European Union; Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute; Roxana Mînzatu, Executive Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, European Commission; Andrew Puzder, Ambassador of the United States to the European Union; Jessika Roswall, European Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy; Sir Jonathan Symonds, President of the European Round Table for Industry and Chair of GSK and Jonathan Wilkinson, Ambassador of Canada to the European Union. 

Throughout the two days, exchanges explored how to maintain momentum on Single Market integration, deliver meaningful regulatory simplification and strengthen the role of industry in developing skills and creating quality jobs. Discussions also touched on the changing international trade landscape, the importance of EU-US cooperation and the priorities that will shape the upcoming Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Learn more about our Executive Council here. 

Simplification
Transatlantic
Read more
Read more about Keeping Europe open and competitive with our Executive Council
News
9 Nov 2026

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.

Transatlantic
Read more
Read more about
Publication
23 Oct 2026

The Transatlantic Economy Pulse 2026

How are companies adjusting to an evolving transatlantic trade environment? In a year so far marked by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, The Transatlantic Economy Pulse identifies trade and investment trends between Europe and the US in the first half of 2026.

Transatlantic
Read more
Read more about The Transatlantic Economy Pulse 2026