On January 1, 2013, Trans-Atlantic Business Council (TABC) was created as the result of a merger between TransAtlantic Business Dialogue (TABD) and European-American Business Council (EABC). TABC creates a stronger business voice for its 60+ member companies. It advocates for the timely development of a comprehensive transatlantic agreement that further liberalizes trade and investment and promotes greater regulatory convergence, and continues engagement with forums such as the U.S.-EU High Level Working Group on Jobs and Growth (HLWG). The TABD Program continues to function as a distinct program within the TABC, preserving its important and unique role as the official business advisor to the Transatlantic Economic Council (TEC). Department of Commerce and the European Commission to serve as the official dialogue between American and European business leaders and U.S. cabinet secretaries and EU commissioners. Membership was comprised of chief executive officers or chairmen of American and European companies operating in the United States, Europe and globally. The EABC was chartered in 1989 as the European Community Chamber of Commerce in the United States. In 1990 the EABC went public in New York and Washington as an independent business association wholly funded by its member companies. Seven years later, the ECCC was renamed the European-American Business Council. 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.
