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 X-expats interviewed Yvonne Bendinger-Rothschild, Executive Director of the European American Chamber of Commerce (“EACC”) in New York. With chapters in France (Paris) and the United States (New York, Ohio, and now in New Jersey), the EACC has built a dynamic network that reaches over 10,000 executives in the US and across Europe. The goal of the EACC’s New York Chapter is to stimulate business development, and to facilitate networking and relationships between European and American organizations. With over 600 members in Europe and the US, the EACC is a valuable resource for virtually any size business. EACC NY’s audience is comprised of major organizations in the financial services, legal, media, real estate, professional services/consulting industry, luxury retail, tourism and other business sectors represented in the Tri-State area. Prior to joining the EACC last October, Yvonne worked with client companies and partners across the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia. With family ties spread across Europe, she sees herself as a true European and believes that Europe needs to think, act and be looked at as one entity.
X-Expats: What differentiates the EACC from other national & bi-national chambers?
Yvonne Bendinger-Rothschild: I believe our main distinction is that the EACC is addressing Europe as a whole vs. looking at individual countries. We pride ourselves on bringing Europeans and American executives into the room and helping them build stronger business relationships. Some of the bi-lateral chambers do discuss topics of a pan-European character but more often than not they focus on issues related to their specific country. I may add that this is perfectly appropriate as it is in line with their assignment. The EACC, in contrast, takes up European-focused business and regulatory matters and address business issues that affect European organizations and US firms in their day-to-day dealings with partners and clients on both side of the Atlantic. Another differentiating factor is that we are not an “affinity” based organization.
One would not necessarily join the EACC because they consider themselves a “European” as is often the case with individuals or organizations that get involved in chambers representing the country of their origin. Most and foremost, organizations (often multinationals) or private individuals join the EACC for reasons related to the fact that they or the organizations they represent have business interests across Europe.
X-E: The mission of the EACC is to provide information, resources, and support on matters affecting business between Europe and the U.S. What services and programs have you developed to achieve this objective?
YB-R: Because we are a network we have access to great resources and experts in the United States and across Europe. We also have close working relations with the EU Delegation to the United States (the current Ambassador, Joao Vale de Almeida is our honorary president). In addition to our own resources, our members are an integral part of our organization and they make their own experts available to help educate their fellow members. The programs that we offer vary in nature and include small roundtables, networking events, as well as large formal panels with industry and government experts. We also encourage member organizations to reach out directly to one another if they need expertise on a specific subject or even on a business deal they are working on. We are also working on a workshop that will provide a hands-on guide to the European Union and its institutions, their relevance to the US and how they work.
X-E: Does the European Union have a fully integrated policy on trade and economic matters?
YB-R: Not quite but this is something that is being addressed and worked on as we speak! Please refer to this release from the Council of the European Union.
X-E: How would you describe current European American business relations? Looking ahead to 2020, how do you foresee the future?
YB-R: I think the relationship between Europe and the US has always been very important and will be increasingly so going forward. The EU itself describes the relationship between the two blocks as a strong, proactive partnership that is the key to fostering peace and democracy around the world; to promoting free trade, economic opportunity, and prosperity for all; and to securing our future against nuclear proliferation, terrorism, and other threats. Unique in both breadth and depth, the EU's partnership with the United States often lends itself to superlatives. In fact, the transatlantic economic partnership is a key driver of global economic prosperity and represents the largest, most integrated, and most enduring relationship in the world. The Delegation of the European Union to the United States provides further evidence and information in this report.
X-E: In your opinion, what role may play global citizens/expats/repats/multicultural individuals in developing and increasing international relations?
YB-R: A very important role. Each of us is an integral part of the bigger picture and I believe the global dialogue starts with individuals. Especially as expats we represent our respective countries on a daily basis in a “foreign land”. We therefore should actively seek a conversation with our hosts and engage with the country we are living in on as many levels as possible. This, in my personal opinion, also hold true when or if we go back to our home countries, at that point we can add a tremendous value to a better understanding of the geopolitical context; and may be shed some light on cultural differences or nuances that may exist.
X-E: Thank you Yvonne for describing the mission of the EACC and sharing your thoughts on the role global citizens may play in developing and maintaining international relationships (business or not!).
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