One Council ~ Two Continents

EABC Overview

The European-American relationship is the most important commercial partnership in the world. With 11% of the world’s people, the Atlantic market produces 50%+ of the world’s GDP, trade and capital flows. Trans-Atlantic investment, innovation and trade foster prosperity across the Atlantic and around the world. The EABC is committed to fortifying EU-US economic investment, innovation, regulatory integration and competitiveness through its Atlantic Agenda and Programs. EABC’s Atlantic Agenda includes issues before EU, EFTA, US and Canadian governments within a ‘horizontal’ policy model.

EABC History

The EABC was chartered in 1989 as the European Community Chamber of Commerce in the United States. On June 2, 1990 the EABC went public in New York and Washington as an independent business association wholly funded by its member companies. Founding Co-Chairs were Gerrit Jeelof, Chairman, Philips North America and John Bryan, Chairman, Sara Lee. Founding Members were Akzo Nobel, BASF, Bowater, BP, Enimont, Fragomen Del Ray, IBM, ICI, ING, Lazard Freres, Philips, PwC, Sara Lee, Siegel & Gale and Xerox - 9 European and 6 American-based firms.

Today membership stands at 76. In 1997 the ECCC was renamed the European-American Business Council. The EABC is recognized as the official European Business Organization in America by the European Commission. With new leadership in 2003, the EABC expanded from a Washington-centric to a truly Trans-Atlantic voice for business. EABC’s Brussels Office opened in 2005, and in 2010 it expanded its policy work to Canada.

EABC Mission

The 1990 ECCC Charter states "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 and government leaders in Europe and in the United States…” EABC’s mission today remains the same, with expansion of our policy work to include EFTA nations and Canada. We promote a “win-win” EABC Policy Agenda with a central focus on Trans-Atlantic commercial regulatory and policy cooperation. EABC has forged policy alliances with numerous business associations which are members of the EABC Alliance Council. EABC company business models are “horizontal” in nature, reflecting the globalization of markets, technologies and business alliances. Sovereign governments are naturally “vertical” in structure. 21st Century business-government relations must pursue “horizontal public policies” to match global challenges and opportunities of the future. This reality lies at the heart of the EABC business model and mission.

EABC Canada

In 2010 the EABC expanded its Policy Groups & Programs work to active engagement with Canadian government officials and industry executives. This has met with solid success. In 2011 the Canadian flag was added to the EABC logo. We plan to significantly enhance our Canadian involvement in 2012.

EABC Leadership

The US Chair of the EABC Board is the Hon. Stuart Eizenstat, former US Ambassador to the EU. The European Chair of the EABC Board is the Hon. Hugo Paemen, former EU Ambassador to the US. In 2012 we plan to name our first Canadian Chair. The EABC Board includes senior executives from 27 member companies and meets in semi-annual Trans-Atlantic conference calls.

EABC Staff

Michael Maibach was named EABC President & CEO in 2003. From 1983 - 2001 he was Vice President, Global Government Affairs, Intel Corporation. From 1976 - 1983 he was Government Affairs Manager, Caterpillar. Laura Reidy is Program Director. Justine Korwek is Brussels Director. Alex Propes & Ashley Chase are Policy Managers. Jessica Jones is Operations Manager.