This year’s Transatlantic Week, set against the need to rebuild a world economy devastated by the impact of COVID-19 and to ensure future healthy, connected and sustainable societies, was themed ‘Global leadership: A transatlantic opportunity’. The activities of the week opened on Wednesday, 24 March for the first time entirely digitised with a keynote by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Transatlantic Conference 2021: in review
This year’s Transatlantic Week, set against the need to rebuild a world economy devastated by the impact of COVID-19 and to ensure future healthy, connected and sustainable societies, was themed ‘Global leadership: A transatlantic opportunity’. The activities of the week opened on Wednesday, 24 March for the first time entirely digitised with a keynote by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

President von der Leyen stressed that the two sides of the Atlantic are once again speaking the same language, of cooperation in international affairs and underscored that now is ‘time for the Atlantic to once again become the beating heart of global cooperation’. You can read the entire transcript of President von der Leyen’s speech on the European Commission website.
The first day of the conference served as the launching point for the Transatlantic Economy 2021 report, done in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which includes the latest facts and figures about the EU-US economic relationship. This year’s edition features insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, prospects for the economic recovery, Brexit, relations with China and the transatlantic energy economy. Research for the report was conducted by Daniel Hamilton and Joseph Quinlan for the Wilson Center’s Global Europe Program and the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies. You can learn more about the speakers and sessions in our day one summary article.
On the second day of the conference, there was a shift in focus from trade to climate and sustainability. European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson delivered the opening keynote speech, reaffirming that climate change is a priority for the EU and expressed her satisfaction that the US is ‘back in the game’ in reference to the Biden administration re-joining the Paris Agreement. The full speech is available on the European Commission website, and the full write up on day two speakers and discussions can be found in our day two summary article.
Finally, on the third day of the conference the focused shifted towards the digital economy, featuring a keynote from European Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders. In his keynote, he pointed to the joint commitment he and US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo made a day prior to accelerate efforts to develop a new Privacy Shield. He underscored that there is still more that binds the EU and the US together than divides us; and he called for common approaches to solve the challenges of our time. His full speech is also available on the European Commission website. Meanwhile, you can find all the details on the speakers and discussions in our day three summary article.
With thanks to our media partner, Euronews, and our sponsors, Google, Lilly, 3M, Goodyear, Interdigital, Procter & Gamble, Workday and IBM.
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The Transatlantic Economy 2026
Following a year of political and trade tensions between Europe and the United States, commercial ties between the two sides – the deepest and broadest between any two regions in history – have held remarkably strong. In a new study from the American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) and the US Chamber of Commerce, authors Daniel Hamilton and Joseph Quinlan value the transatlantic economy at a record $9.8 trillion in 2025, up from $9.5 trillion the previous year. This figure comprises an estimated record $2.3 trillion in goods and services trade between Europe and the United States and $7.5 trillion in combined affiliate sales.
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Getting the view from Washington, DC with Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador to the US
On Thursday, 12 March, AmCham EU hosted Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador to the US for a townhall discussion on the outlook for EU–US relations and the evolving economic and geopolitical environment shaping the transatlantic partnership. Moderated by Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, participants reflected on the importance of maintaining a strong and stable transatlantic relationship that continues to underpin investment, innovation and jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.
The discussion explored perspectives from Washington on the current state of the partnership, the work of the EU Delegation in engaging US policymakers in Washington, DC and the outlook for transatlantic trade and economic cooperation. Participants also examined how the EU and the US can preserve open investment flows, avoid escalation in trade tensions and work together to address shared challenges such as global overcapacity and supply chain resilience.
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Statement on Section 301 investigations
On Wednesday, 11 March, the United States Trade Representative launched Section 301 investigations into structural production overcapacity against a range of economies, including the European Union. We understand that this decision is part of a larger attempt to stabilise the US tariff system in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling striking down the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariffs.
The American Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (AmCham EU) is concerned about the continued uncertainty of the current trade environment. Companies still lack clarity over future tariff rates in both the short- and long-term. We continue to oppose broad-based tariffs as they raise costs for businesses and consumers and disrupt supply chains.
With potential measures against the EU under consideration, AmCham EU calls on the EU and the US to avoid escalation in the trade dispute. The priority must be to restore stability and predictability in transatlantic trade. The deal struck in the summer is not a perfect solution, but it offers the most realistic path forward given political priorities on both sides. We look to the parties to honour their commitments under the EU-US Framework Agreement.
The US Administration rightfully identifies overcapacity as a critical issue in the global economy which also affects the European market. We see the EU as part of the solution, rather than the problem. The EU and the US must work together to tackle the real issue at hand: unfair trading practices from non-market economies.
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