As the current circumstances have again prevented the ACE representatives from traveling to the U.S. to meet with each other and with relevant stakeholders, ranging from private and international organizations to key government agencies, they had the opportunity to meet with Washington DC partners through a series of virtual sessions in the scope of ACE-US Week: Washington D.C. Virtual Outreach.
More than 60 AmChams’ representatives from 35 AmChams and 33 countries were delighted to be e-hosted by prominent governmental and private organizations and senior speakers to discuss the Transatlantic relations and collaboration. They have addressed topics, including Transatlantic ties, trade (visas and tariffs), economic recovery, and other global challenges, such as climate change.
They have met with senior representatives of the government organizations, including the U.S. Department of Commerce and Dale Tasharski, Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and Director General of the Commercial Service. They have also met with the senior representatives of the U.S. Department of State, where they spoke with Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Senior Official for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment,  Acting Assistant Secretary Philip T. Reeker, and other senior officials.
At the White House National Security Council meeting, they have met with Peter Harrell, NSC International Economics Senior Director, who stressed the importance of that transatlantic alliance for both security and economic purposes.
The ACE Community also had very informative and insightful breakout sessions with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, discussing topics, including trade and supply chain security, climate change and advancing sustainability, and the Biden administration’s digital agenda.
Finally, they have also met with the private sector representative, Mr. Karan Bhatia, Vice President, Global Government Affairs & Public Policy of Google, discussing the technological aspect of economic recovery and other tech-related insights.Â
