News
The transatlantic relationship: insights from Washington D.C.
This week, a BusinessEurope delegation led by President Fredrik Persson and Director General Markus J. Beyrer was in Washington D.C. to discuss current challenges in EU–U.S. relations.
During mee...
Exchange with academics and business leaders in Madrid
He met with Enrico Letta, Dean of the IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, and took part in a lively exchange with students and members of the IE Business Leadership Forum.
Persson...
Reinvigorating the EU’s enlargement policy
We brought together policymakers, business representatives and think tank experts to explore how to make the EU’s enlargement process more effective for both the Union and candidate countries. As ou...
Tripartite Social Summit: A stronger Europe for enterprises and workers
Our Director General Markus J. Beyrer led our delegation at the Tripartite Social Summit on 22 October, chaired by Council President Antonio Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with Ex...
Strengthening EU-Cambodia economic ties
Our Director General Markus J. Beyrer met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sok Chenda Sophea to explore new ways to deepen EU-Cambodia trade and investment ties. The EU, Cambodia’s fourth larges...
Discussing Global Gateway priorities with EU leaders
Commissioners Jozef Síkela (International Partnerships), Marta Kos (Neighbourhood and Enlargement), and Dubravka Šuica (Mediterranean), as well as Koen Doens, Director-General for International Part...
Single Market Strategy: bigger, better, faster, more
The event was co-hosted by MEPs Lídia Pereira and Laura Ballarín Cereza, and featured contributions from EU Competitiveness Council Chair Morten Bødskov (Denmark), Ministers Peter Burke (Ireland) a...
Debate at the EP highlights urgency of concluding EU-Mercosur agreement
In his opening remarks, our Director General Markus J. Beyrer stressed: “The EU-Mercosur agreement is not just about trade; it is a strategic instrument to make the EU stronger, more competitive, an...
Thanks for joining our Back2Business reception
Together with 19 leading business associations and Politico, we were thrilled to host the Back2Business reception at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences on 17 September. The event brought...
1 year after the Draghi Report: what has been achieved, what has changed?
“The Draghi Report is even more relevant today than a year ago”, Persson pointed out. He stressed that in an uncertain global environment, the EU must focus on what it can shape and control: remov...
Discussing Omnibus and the change of legislative culture
Co-hosted by MEP Lukas Mandl, the event featured Valdis Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, as well as MEPs Anna-Maja Henriksson (Renew) and Marion Walsmann (EPP).
Duri...
EU-Mercosur trade agreement – Now is the time
After 25 years of negotiations, in December 2024, the European Union and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) countries reached a political agreement for a ground-breaking agreement. In...
Salzburg Summit 2025
"Europe won’t meet any of its goals, including security and defence, without a strong industrial base", said BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer, speaking at the 2025 Salzburg Summit. "...
BusinessEurope is launching a call for subcontracted expertise
BusinessEurope is launching a call for subcontracted expertise to facilitate coordination with EU-level sectoral employer social partners on matters related to social dialogue, collective bargainin...
“The Future of Digital Investments in the EU” conference
At today’s Conference “The Future of Digital Investments in the EU”, organised under the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU in Aalborg, our Director General Markus J. Beyrer highlighted...
Business community commits to strengthening NATO defence industrial base
“Europe’s security and economic strength go hand in hand. Whether it’s about increasing defence spending, managing trade tensions or competing globally, none of this is possible without a thrivi...
How to power a fair and competitive transition?
He underlined that Europe’s energy reality remains challenging. In 2023, industrial electricity prices were more than twice as high as in 2019 and still far above those in key partner countries. “...
BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents in Copenhagen
On Friday 23 May, BusinessEurope’s Council of Presidents convened in Copenhagen, hosted by its two Danish member federations – the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) and Danish Industry (DI)....
B7 Ottawa: Advancing economic security and resilience
“The G7 should pool its forces to defend a rules-based trade order and open markets. It should agree on principles and avoid unilateral actions that may undermine each other’s competitivenes...
Europe Day 2025
On this day 75 years ago, the Schuman Declaration was unveiled by then-French foreign minister Robert Schuman. Its powerful words ring just as true today as they did then: a united and strong Europe i...
Quality Jobs Roadmap: let’s get the discussion right
”For BusinessEurope, it starts with facilitating innovation and driving productivity growth by fostering a competitive business environment that retains companies and attracts new industries. To cre...
Exchange on business priorities with President von der Leyen
During the meeting, Persson underlined the importance of diversifying Europe’s trade and investment opportunities to strengthen economic resilience and reduce exposure to global risks. He also calle...
Reciprocal US tariffs undermine the Transatlantic economy
Reacting to the US announcement of so-called “reciprocal tariffs”, BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: “The US decision to impose an additional 20% tariff on EU products...
‘Empowering Europe’ panel discussion
Can simplification help drive investments and growth in Europe? How can competitiveness co-exist with Green Deal objectives to achieve a clean economy? These were some of the key questions explored at...