With the UK now a ‘third country’ outside of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union, what are the gaps the businesses now face when operating between the two jurisdictions?
This was the question that was put to panellists of LOW Europe’s ‘Mind the gap’ debate on Wednesday, 27 October, on the occasion of the launch of their new report.
With the UK now a ‘third country’ outside of the EU’s Single Market and Customs Union, what are the gaps the businesses now face when operating between the two jurisdictions?
This was the question that was put to panellists of LOW Europe’s ‘Mind the gap’ debate on Wednesday, 27 October, on the occasion of the launch of their new report.
The debate gathered a distinguished panel of Ian Wright, CBE, Chief Executive, Food and Drink Federation UK; Ben Butters, CEO, EUROCHAMBRES; Helen Smith, Executive Chair, IMPALA; Leslie Galloway, Chairman, Ethical Medicines Industry Group; and Susan Danger, CEO, AmCham EU. The panel was chaired by LOW’s Strategic Counsel, Lord Andrew Lansley.
The panel explored the ways in which business interests diverge from the political interests of the UK and the EU in the aftermath of the UK’s divorce from the Union. In this context, the panellists discussed the need for independent representation of business in general, and for ‘UK plc’ in particular, within the EU policymaking scene.
In the course of the debate, Susan shared the US business perspective, as an example of a third country with significant influence in the EU. She made the case that with 55% of US multinationals’ global income coming from Europe, US companies have strong incentives to be present in the EU’s policymaking processes. She also emphasised the importance for US businesses to also make the EU understand why their perspective matters – with 4.8 million Europeans directly employed by US companies in Europe, the relationship goes both ways.
At the end of the debate, all panellists converged on the importance for UK businesses to expand their reach in Brussels. By establishing a hub and building a constructive narrative, working with counterparts from the EU, maintaining links with EU trade associations and expanding objective comment from British-based think-tanks, panellists agreed that businesses in the EU and the UK can move beyond the entrenched political positions around Brexit and find a new equilibrium that fosters trade and investment partnership.
Interested in hearing the debate first-hand? Watch the recording
Learn more about AmCham EU’s work on the EU-UK relationship
Check out Susan Danger’s contribution to LOW’s ‘Mind the gap’ report
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On Tuesday, 25 and Wednesday, 26 November 2025, AmCham EU travelled to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France. Over the two-day programme, the delegation met with nearly a dozen MEPs and advisors for an exchange on the future of EU trade policy. Discussions centred on the importance of transatlantic cooperation, the ratification of the EU-Mercosur agreement and the implementation of the EU-US Framework Agreement. Members underlined the need for an ambitious EU trade agenda that ensures market access, reduces tariff and non-tariff barriers and strengthens the resilience of European industry. The delegation also called for a swift adoption of the Commission’s proposal on tariff reduction on US industrial goods and reiterated the importance of a pragmatic, forward-looking transatlantic agenda that promotes predictability and economic security.
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At the POLITICO Competitive Europe Summit, Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU reiterated the need for swift implementation of the EU-US Framework Agreement and renewed its call for greater simplification of EU rules. Mr Lohan expressed cautious support for the deal, noting its role in avoiding damaging escalation and restoring a degree of predictability. He also underscored the importance of reducing regulatory burdens, highlighting simplification as a strategic priority for competitiveness. With the priority now on timely tariff reductions, regulatory cooperation and simplification, find out how our members see the deal evolving.
Mr Lohan was joined by Matthias Jørgensen, Head of Unit, USA and Canada, Directorate-General for Trade, European Commission and Jovita Neliupšienė, EU Ambassador to the US
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From Monday, 22 September to Thursday, 25 September 2025, AmCham EU led a delegation of members to Washington, DC for a series of high-level meetings with US policymakers and stakeholders. The delegation engaged with Congressional offices, US federal agencies and transatlantic institutions to discuss regulatory developments, trade priorities and the future of EU-US economic and political cooperation. The visit sought to reinforce the transatlantic relationship, advocate for regulatory alignment and promote open dialogue on shared strategic challenges, including competitiveness, security and digital policy.
On Monday, 22 September, the delegation kicked off with a high-level meeting with the US Chamber of Commerce. Discussions focused on the economic outlook, regulatory divergence and the implementation of the EU-US trade framework agreement. AmCham EU underlined the role of cooperation within the business community in supporting a pragmatic and forward-looking transatlantic agenda.
On Tuesday, 23 September, the group met with the Delegation of the EU to the US, as well as representatives from the House of Representatives and the Senate. Meetings covered the current political landscape, foreign policy coordination and EU-US economic cooperation, particularly in light of new regulatory initiatives on both sides of the Atlantic. The day concluded with a roundtable at the Atlantic Council on the future of the transatlantic trade relationship.
The group began Wednesday, 24 September, at a breakfast roundtable on digital trade, with contributions from the EU Delegation and US Department of Commerce. The discussion focused on data flows, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the outlook for digital cooperation. Later in the day, the group met with senior officials from the Office of the US Trade Representative and the US Departments of Treasury and State, where conversations centred on regulatory convergence, market access and the importance of aligning strategic priorities.
On Thursday, 25 September, the delegation met with the European Parliament Liaison Office and the US Department of Commerce. These final discussions centred on the experiences of US businesses operating in Europe and reinforced AmCham EU’s commitment to supporting a constructive and stable transatlantic relationship. Members reiterated the need for open dialogue and continued cooperation to address shared challenges and unlock new opportunities for growth.
Throughout the visit, AmCham EU stressed the value of the transatlantic partnership as a key driver of global prosperity. With US companies investing over €3.7 trillion in Europe and supporting close to five million jobs, the transatlantic economy remains the strongest, most integrated bilateral relationship in the world. AmCham EU reaffirmed its role as a trusted knowledge partner and advocated for policies that foster innovation, sustainability and long-term competitiveness.
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