Washington, D.C. -- (SBWire) -- 12/03/2009 -- The GermanAmericanBusinessForum in Washington, D.C. (GABF) held a dialogue session in Düsseldorf, Germany on November 30, 2009 entitled: “Germany in Change? – U.S. in Change? Outlook 2010: Where are the Transatlantic Business Potentials.” The Düsseldorf event was a companion to the GABF’s dialogue session in Washington, D.C. on October 26, 2009. U.S. participants included members of government, industry, law and trade organizations; German participants consisted of business leaders, as well as the new U.S. Consul General for North-Rhine Westphalia, Janice Weiner.

Participants in both Washington, D.C. and Düsseldorf, Germany shared the view that the alliance between Germany and the United States remains strong and productive in the context of the political changes in the European Union resulting from the implementation of the Lisbon treaty. Both sides also noted the impact of the global economic downturn, and expressed that U.S. and German businesses were engaged in repositioning and reinventing themselves to conduct business effectively in 2010.

Participants in the dialogue session in Germany discussed the Far Eastern economies and noted that there is a fascination with the economic performance of China. One participant noted that while there are many business regulations in China, there also exists a certain amount of pragmatism in order to achieve results. The participants also noted the use of German technology, experience and innovation to define and implement projects in the U.S.

Participants in the dialogue session in Washington, D.C. discussed the changes in both the U.S. and German federal government administrations in 2009, and the related expectations of change to business policy in both countries. U.S. participants also discussed the Buy American provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (the stimulus package), and noted some of the uncertainty as to how these provisions would be applied to German firms that are suppliers to American prime contractors.

Promoting a dialogue between U.S. and German business leaders “results in new ideas and projects”, stated the GABF’s Founder and President, Peter H. Dehnen, and “creates a more concrete understanding of what constitutes sustainable success in the U.S., namely, ‘Doing business the American Way’.”

The GermanAmericanBusinessForum in Washington, D.C. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the bridge supporting U.S.-German business relations.