One Council ~ Two Continents

EABC Overview

The Trans-Atlantic relationship is the most important commercial partnership in the world. With 11% of the world’s people, this market produces 60% of the world’s GDP and 40% of its trade. Trans-Atlantic investment, innovation and trade foster prosperity in Europe, the United States and the world. The European-American Business Council is committed to fortifying EU-US economic investment, innovation, regulatory integration and Trans-Atlantic competitiveness.

EABC History

The EABC was legally chartered in 1989 as the European Community Chamber of Commerce (ECCC) in the United States. On June 2, 1990 the EABC went public in New York and Washington. Founding Co-Chairs were Gerrit Jeelof, Chairman of Philips North America and John Bryan, Chairman of Sara Lee. Founding Members were Akzo Nobel, ING, Philips, Price Waterhouse, Sara Lee, Siegel & Gale, and Xerox. In 1990 BASF, Bowater, British Petroleum, Enimont, Fragomen Del Ray, IBM, ICI and Lazard Freres became members. Thus, initial membership included 15 companies - 9 European and 6 American-based enterprises.

Today membership stands at 70. In 1997 the ECCC was renamed the European-American Business Council to reflect its expanding policy advocacy by before both European and American governments. At each stage of growth, the EABC has remained an independent business association, funded wholly by its member companies. Today the EABC is recognized as the official European Business Organization in America by the European Commission.

EABC Mission

The 1990 ECCC Charter stated "To support unrestricted trade and investment between the US and the EC, promote a healthy, open and productive business environment between the two regions… and provide a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas for business leaders in Europe and in the United States…” and government officials. The EABC mission today remains the same. Our European and American companies promote a “win-win” EABC Policy Agenda that advances robust EU-US governmental regulatory and policy cooperation. Companies are “horizontal” by nature, reflecting the globalization of markets, technologies and customers. Governments are “vertical” in structure. The hard work of business-government relations in the 21st Century is focused on fashioning “horizontal public policies” to match the global technologies, markets and opportunities of the future.

EABC Leadership

The Council Co-Chairmen are Stuart Eizenstat, former US Ambassador to the European Union, and Hugo Paemen, former EU Ambassador to the United States. The President & CEO is Michael Maibach.