Business roundtable on EU-U.S. trade and investment relations

At the Business Roundtable on 24 November, our Director General Markus J. Beyrer underlined the vital role the U.S. market plays as an export and investment destination for European companies.

Most transatlantic trade is linked to long-standing investments, and European companies want to continue investing in the U.S., but this requires a predictable environment with lower duties.

The meeting brought together European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and Jamieson Greer, Chief Negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. During the discussion, Beyrer stressed the importance of fully implementing the EU-U.S. joint framework agreement to bring the desired stability and predictability.

He also underscored the need to resolve outstanding issues related to Section 232 measures on steel and aluminium. The expanding list of derivative products affected by these tariffs risks eroding the spirit of the deal.

Beyrer further emphasised that strengthening regulatory cooperation is essential to maintaining long-term competitiveness. Greater alignment and simplification of regulatory requirements would significantly reduce burdens and unlock economic benefits for companies across the Atlantic.