AmCham Greece has assumed the AmChams in Europe (ACE) Secretariat from January 1, 2024 for the next two years, as Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, was elected to the position of Vice Chair of AmChams in Europe (ACE).
AmCham Greece as ACE Secretariat organized and participated in the U.S. Delegation in Washington, DC and Miami, FL. 41 AmCham executives from 31 countries participated in weeklong briefings, meetings, dinners, receptions from April 22 to April 26, 2024.
The U.S. Delegation program included meetings with key U.S. stakeholders, which provided valuable insights into the business and political climate in the U.S., as well as expert assessments on what is to come in the election year 2024.
Key messages & take aways:
- The state of the U.S. economy is strong & remains a key driver of U.S. engagement abroad. However, consumer prices are high, and the inflation rate will have a big influence on U.S. citizens’ voting behavior in November elections
- U.S. stakeholders expressed the need for more coordinated transatlantic approaches on AI regulation and standard setting, defense cooperation, and investment incentives
- The 8.7 trillion€ transatlantic economy will continue to thrive, no matter the election outcome
- Energy sector stability: Instability and volatility in the energy sector can hinder us from focusing on renewable energy goals
- Data-driven regulations: to measure its real impact, focusing on priorities that drive competitiveness and enhanced regulations
- U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Initiative: Continuing the TTC, with a focus on priorities
- European trade policy: Strengthen European ambitions in trade policy by speeding up authorization procedures and avoiding a tsunami of regulations
- Labor mobility: Encourage labor mobility and revitalize the single market to make it attractive again
- Competitiveness: focusing and addressing areas such as critical minerals, EU-U.S. industrial strategy, healthcare systems, etc
- A deep dive into foreign direct investment, foreign affiliate sales, and R&D investments reveals more layers of the transatlantic partnership
- Europe is the main destination for U.S. companies investing abroad
- In the future, the U.S. and Europe are the most important partners in digitally enabled services
- Transatlantic Cooperation resonating message: it is both vital and critical for our U.S. EU partnerships across the ocean, advocating a united stand for democracy, peace, and our shared values
Sectors of interest:
- Washington DC: Energy, AI, Cybersecurity, Supply Chain and Defense
- Miami FL: Infrastructure, Climate, Health, Technology, Tourism and Sports
Meetings included (among others):
- Gina Reimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce (virtual presentation)
- Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Ambassador Yuri Kim, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, U.S. Department of State
- Suzanne Clark, President and CEO of U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Marjorie Chorlins, Senior Vice President, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Jon Finer, Principal Deputy National Security Advisor, The White House
- Michael Curtis, Deputy Ambassador of the European Union to the United States
- Dilawar Syed, Deputy Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
- Alfred Sanchez, President and CEO, The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
- Gina Polo, Vice Chair, International Business, The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
- Joe Docal, Director Travel Industry Sales, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Jorn Fleck, Senior Director, Europe Center and Team of expert fellows, Atlantic Council
- Licy Do Canto, Managing Director and Team of expert fellows, APCO
- Christopher Allen, Vice President, Global Deployment and Itinerary Planning, Royal Caribbean Group (RCG)
- Milton Sgarbi, VP Operations, 1Hotel South Beach
- Enrico Letta, Former Italian Prime Minister
- Daniel Hamilton, Senior Fellow, Foreign Policy Institute, Johns Hopkins University
- Jon Decker, White House Correspondent
- Markus Beyrer, Director General and CEO, BusinessEurope
