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European Businesses Advocate for a Stronger, Barrier-Free Transatlantic Partnership

  • 22. 5. 2025
Washington

The Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic contributed to the formulation of a position paper by BusinessEurope, the Confederation of European Business, focusing on a positive future for transatlantic relations. The paper comes at a time when both sides have agreed to a temporary 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs. This development opens space for de-escalation and a new impetus in mutual relations.

The EU and the US: Key Partners

The EU and the United States have long been the largest trading and investment partners. However, in recent times, growing trade disputes, tariff measures, and regulatory divergences have threatened their cooperation, resulting in increased costs for businesses and disruptions to supply chains. According to European business representatives, it is essential to take action and ensure a stable and predictable business environment.

European business organisations therefore propose a number of concrete steps:

  • Prevent further tariff escalation and strive for their reduction;
  • Eliminate remaining trade barriers, including non-tariff ones – such as technical standards, differing rules in services or investment;
  • Permanently resolve existing disputes and prevent new ones through systematic dialogue;
  • Establish a permanent platform for transatlantic dialogue to address disputes, coordinate responses to global challenges (e.g. non-market practices of third countries), and promote shared economic interests;
  • Focus on the future: cooperate on technology, sustainable solutions, standardisation, and the security of supply chains.

The BusinessEurope position paper emphasises that a successful transatlantic partnership has a direct impact on the growth and competitiveness of European companies. Therefore, the EU and the US should be allies and partners, not competitors.

BusinessEurope’s Visit to Washington

To mark the release of the paper, a delegation from BusinessEurope led by President Fredrik Persson and Director General Markus J. Beyrer visited Washington, D.C., this week to discuss European business interests with the US administration, Congress, business organisations, companies, and other key stakeholders.

BusinessEurope President Fredrik Persson commented: “With €1.6 trillion (US$1.8 trillion) in annual trade and more than €5.3 trillion (approximately US$6 trillion) in mutual investments, the EU-US relationship remains the world’s largest and most deeply integrated economic partnership. However, escalating trade tensions in recent months are putting this key relationship at risk.”

The Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic regularly engages in discussions with the Czech government and other relevant bodies, both domestically and in Brussels, concerning the development of a constructive European trade policy towards the US. We value the close coordination of the Czech government in seeking constructive solutions to emerging disputes. We also regularly provide updates on the development of tariff measures on our website.

The full BusinessEurope position paper is available here.

 

With your comments or suggestions, please contact:

Mr Lukáš Martin
Director of the International Relations Department
lmartin@spcr.cz.