How can international cooperation help modernise the global patent system and unlock the benefits of AI? This was one of the key questions discussed in Tokyo, where BusinessEurope joined industry representatives and the Heads of the world's five largest Intellectual Property Offices (IP5), which together handle over 90% of global patent applications. Discussions focused on improving patent cooperation across jurisdictions, simplifying administrative procedures and exploring the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.

What opportunities will the modernised EU-Mexico trade agreement create for European businesses? Join us for a discussion on how the deal can strengthen the EU's trade diversification agenda and unlock new opportunities in the Mexican market across different sectors. Featuring: • MEP Borja Giménez Larraz, INTA Rapporteur for the EU-Mexico agreement • Markus J. Beyrer, Director General, BusinessEurope • H.E. Rogelio Granguillhome Morfín, Ambassador of Mexico to the EU • Paolo Garzotti, Head of Unit, DG TRADE • A panel of representatives from manufacturing and services sectors, moderated by our Deputy DG Luisa Santos Register here by 15 June: businesseurope.eu/events/eu-…

Ahead of next week's G7 Leaders' Summit, our President Fredrik Persson and DG Markus J. Beyrer joined business leaders from across the G7 at the B7 Summit in Paris, organised by @MEDEF. Discussions focused on trade and supply chain security, economic resilience, and the green and digital transitions. To put the European economy back on track, Europe must act swiftly to deepen the Single Market, reduce regulatory burdens, lower energy costs, boost innovation and investment, and address skills shortages. Our trade diversification agenda must remain ambitious to mitigate geopolitical risks. At the same time, trade and industrial policies can no longer be treated separately. As Persson stressed: "More assertive approaches on industrial policy must be counter-balanced with openness. Let’s not fool ourselves – no country will be able to achieve full sovereignty over all critical supply chains." Read the B7 Joint Declaration: medef.com/uploads/media/node…

Today’s EU-Korea Summit shows the significance of the relationship. In an international context of growing uncertainty and sudden disruptions, this strategic partnership has never been more relevant for businesses. The EU-ROK Digital Trade Agreement signed today provides the stable framework necessary for the continued free flow of data across borders, while safeguarding protection of personal data. The EU and Korea are reliable, like-minded partners that share similar challenges and interests.

Canada and the EU share many of the challenges exacerbated by geopolitical tensions. This creates an opportunity for joint action on market diversification, supply chain resilience and updating global trading rules. - Key message from our Deputy DG Luisa Santos at yesterday’s EU-Canada Business Forum. Many thanks to the Canada EU Trade and Investment Association and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce (@CdnChamberofCom) for organising this timely discussion.

Trade facilitation must remain at the heart of the Union Customs Code’s reform. This afternoon, our DG Markus J. Beyrer exchanged views with Commissioner @MarosSefcovic on how to implement this landmark reform in a way that strengthens companies' competitiveness and facilitates legitimate trade. The reform offers a unique opportunity to build a stronger and more resilient Europe, better equipped to respond to today's geoeconomic challenges. To fully realise its potential, continued dialogue with businesses will remain essential.

The United States and Europe share deep commercial ties, industrial cooperation, and capacity for innovation – the foundation for the largest trade relationship in the world. Great discussions with @BusinessEurope on the importance of fulfilling the trade commitments in the Turnberry agreement, seeking meaningful deregulation in the EU, and spurring European economic growth to bolster both Europe and America.

Pay Transparency: companies faced with complexity and legal uncertainty With only three Member States appearing to be on track to meet the transposition deadline, millions of companies risk being left in a legal limbo from 8 June. A temporary “stop-the-clock” mechanism is urgently needed to address implementation challenges and allow for targeted adjustments to the EU text. Read our joint statement: businesseurope.eu/publicatio…

How can we further strengthen the EU-Mercosur partnership and make the most of the opportunities it creates for businesses? This morning, we discussed exactly that with the Ambassadors of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Since 1 May, companies benefit from reduced trade barriers, improved access to public procurement and greater regulatory cooperation. The priority now: effective implementation and full ratification of the agreement.

40 years since Spain's accession to the Single Market, the job is far from finished. At today's conference organised by @CEOE_ES in Madrid, Mette Peetz-Schou, Chair of our Internal Market Committee, stressed that the One Europe One Market Roadmap is a positive sign, but underlined the need for faster results on the ground: "We see too little commitment. We need to deliver on removing the 'Terrible 10' barriers quickly to demonstrate real commitment from EU institutions and Member States, becausethere are many more barriers than 10 to remove in the future." The event also featured @agaramendil, President of CEOE and Vice-President of BusinessEurope.

Europe’s circular economy ambitions need a true Single Market framework. Speaking at a panel debate alongside Commissioner @JessikaRoswall and Greek Minister of Environment and Energy Stavros Papastavrou, our President Fredrik Persson stressed the need for a coherent and predictable regulatory framework for circularity. “The technology to do better exists. What does not exist is legal coherence.” The future Circular Economy Act should establish binding common rules across the EU and avoid a patchwork of national systems that undermines competitiveness, investment and circularity objectives.

Excellent exchange at the International Relations Committee meeting in Stockholm. Topics included China, the US, the Industrial Accelerator Act and the Middle East. Strengthening European competitiveness through diversification, risk mitigation and the effective management of geopolitical tensions, while avoiding inward-looking responses, will be essential. Many thanks to @AnnaStellinger and @Swedishenterp for the wonderful organisation.

“There is no alternative to simplification if Europe wants to remain – and become even more – competitive in the future.” Our Adviser Michelle Marie Philipp shared this message at yesterday’s event on EU regulatory simplification, organised by the two former and the current EU Council Presidencies: Poland, Denmark and Cyprus.

“EU action should support and further develop, where needed, the voluntary social-partner model, without creating excessive burdens for employers and pension funds.” – Our Director for Social Affairs, Maxime Cerutti, concluding the roundtable on the pensions package. Read our position paper here: businesseurope.eu/publicatio…

Today, we hosted a roundtable on the pensions package with representatives from business, the pensions industry, EU institutions and social partners. Rosa d’Adelhart Toorop, Chair of our Pensions Ad-Hoc Group, highlighted three priorities for the review of the EU rules on occupational pensions: ➡️Preserving minimum ➡️Harmonisation ➡️Ensuring proportionality

During our Council of Presidents (#CoPres) meeting in Dublin, DG Markus J. Beyrer outlined EU business priorities for the incoming Irish EU Presidency @EUCouncil, from simplification and energy to trade and a stronger Single Market. Read our declaration: businesseurope.eu/publicatio…

What opportunities does Mercosur offer for European companies? Join us for a breakfast discussion with the Ambassadors of Mercosur to exchange views on business prospects in the region! With: • H.E. Mr. Pedro Miguel da Costa e Silva, Ambassador of Brazil • H.E. Mr. Fernando Adolfo Iglesias, Ambassador of Argentina • H.E. Mr. Enrique Miguel Franco Maciel, Ambassador of Paraguay • H.E. Mr. Pablo Emilio Sader Hernandez, Ambassador of Uruguay Our DG Markus J. Beyrer will open the discussion. Register by 29 May: forms.office.com/pages/respo…

▶️ Super discussion with the top business representative bodies in Europe on EU trade policy today in #Dublin. Thank you @BusinessEurope and @ibec_irl for the invitation.

At the @BusinessEurope conference in Dublin today, I set out some of my ambitions for the Irish EU Presidency. Competitiveness will be a core focus of the Irish EU Presidency - because it ensures that our European economy thrives, and our citizens prosper. 🇮🇪🤝🇪🇺 @ibec_irl

Maciej Witucki was unanimously elected to succeed Fredrik Persson as President of BusinessEurope from 1 July 2026. He has been Chairman of the Main Council of Confederation Lewiatan (@Konf_Lewiatan), our Polish member federation, and Vice-President of BusinessEurope since 2023. “I am honoured to be elected as President and look forward to defending the interests of the millions of small, medium and large European companies that the 42 member federations of BusinessEurope represent. Taking on this role at such a critical time for Europe’s economy is both a great responsibility and a real honour”, he said. We are deeply grateful to Fredrik Persson for his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to strengthening Europe’s competitiveness. Read our PR: businesseurope.eu/publicatio…