On Wednesday, 22 April, AmCham EU hosted a roundtable on Ukraine’s recovery with Jurand Drop, Undersecretary of State, Ministry of Finance of Poland and Michał Kapa, Deputy Head of the Team Poland initiative and Director for International Partnerships, PFR Group. The discussion brought together AmCham EU members with counterparts from Polish companies and focused on the investment conditions and policy instruments needed to meet the challenge of Ukraine’s reconstruction and modernisation. Liam Benham (Boeing), Chair, and Yana Humen (IBM), Chair Ukraine Task Force, AmCham EU also underlined the importance of a supportive policy environment to help mobilise private investment and strengthen cooperation in support of Ukraine’s long-term recovery. They highlighted how US companies can work with European partners on making sure Ukraine’s integration with the EU is a success.

On Wednesday, 16 April, AmCham EU met with Michael J. Vaccaro, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, US Department of State. The exchange with members focused on transatlantic defence industrial cooperation, regulatory issues shaping European Defence Markets and the ability of US companies to support European rearmament. Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU also highlighted the importance of an open policy environment across the Atlantic to support cooperation and enable companies to contribute to Europe’s security and defence industrial base.

Getting the revision of the Defence Procurement Directive right is critical to delivering the capabilities Member States need to deter aggression by 2030 and to strengthen the capacity and innovation of the European defence industrial base. Reform efforts should focus on removing practical barriers such as administrative complexity, production bottlenecks and limited visibility that delay capability delivery. Through targeted simplification, the Commission can accelerate procurement, support joint acquisition and ensure access to best-in-class technologies. By contrast, introducing stringent European preference requirements, such as headquarters-based eligibility criteria or rigid content thresholds, risks reducing competition, increasing administrative burdens and overlooking the deep investments many US companies already have in the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. Readiness by 2030 requires inclusive access and cooperation with allies to ensure that European defence spending translates into a formidable and enduring deterrent.

On Thursday, 29 January, AmCham EU hosted a roundtable focused on defence policy with Andrew Puzder, US Ambassador to the European Union and Matthew Whitaker, US Ambassador to NATO. With senior leaders from US companies active in Europe’s defence markets, the discussion focused on the evolving defence policy landscape at the EU and NATO and the importance of transatlantic industrial cooperation in responding to today’s security challenges. Participants exchanged views on how openness of EU regulation, procurement and funding initiatives can better support speed, scale and interoperability among NATO Allies while building on the strengths of the transatlantic defence industrial base. 

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. 

The European Defence Industrial Strategy (EDIS) is a welcome addition to strengthen the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and Europe’s security. However, to succeed, the EU will need to increase its collaboration with like-minded third-country partners, facilitate the participation of valuable contributors owned by third-country entities from allied countries, ensure sufficient flexibility, integrate advanced technologies as well as support the completion of the Single Market for financial services. Only in this way can the EU overcome current geopolitical threats whilst increasing the competitiveness and readiness of its EDTIB.