Transatlantic Expansion Barometer 2025 : Economic Relations at a Turning Point

The European American Chamber of Commerce (EACC), RSM et OCO Global today release the 2025 edition of the Transatlantic Expansion Barometer, a flagship study analyzing investment dynamics between Europe and the United States.

The latest edition highlights a sharp and unprecedented decline in European companies' confidence in the U.S. market, partly linked to growing political instability in the United States.

The Barometer also reveals a renewed focus by American companies on their domestic market, along with a growing ambition amond mid-sized European businesses to expand beyond Europe.

Launched last November to assess business leader's perceptions in the wake of Trump election and amid escalating trade tensions, the 2025 Transaltantic Expansion Barometer is based on over sixty in-depth interviews with senior executives from both European and American companies - with a particular focus on mid-sized enterprises - accross a range of sectors and geographies.

Declining Confidence, Shifting Strategies

One of the most striking and unprecendented findings: an increasing number of European companies report a decline in confidence in the U.S. market. The main causes include perceived instatibility in public policy and uncertainty surrounding the United States' economic direction.

"While this is the overarching trend, our discussions reveal a more nuanced reality: strategies differ greatly depending on the industry, com, soulignent Maxime Adam, Manager Audit chez RSM France et Vincent Raufast, Head of Advisory chez OCO Global.

Some industrial players - including well-established mid-sized firms - have opted to pause or delay investments in the United States, awaiting a more predictable environment.

Structural shifts on Both Sides of the Atlantic 

The Barometer goes beyond short-term trends to highlight a more profound transofrmation. For the past three years, American companies have increasingly prioritized domestic projects over European expansion.

At the same time, European businesses - especially agile mid-sized firms - are actively seeking growth opportunities beyond the continent, facing a well-documented structural competitiveness gap, notably referenced in the Draghi Report.

These shifts are redefining the transatlantic balance and call for a strong strategic response.

Although Europe remains the world's second-largest economic power, it is frequently criticized for its slow decision-marking processes.

Yet, the Barometer suggests that the current challenges may present a unique opportunity: to close the technological gap and assert Europe's role as a fully sovereing economic power.

"A stronger and more competitive Europe would ultimately strengthen transatlantic ties", the study concludes.

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