Transatlantic Greater Birmingham
Transatlantic Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Mandy Haque T: 0121 725 8994
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Take-off: A United jet airliner
Partnership to develop short-haul aircraft
United Airlines is to work with sustainable air mobility firm Archer Aviation to accelerate the production of short-haul electric aircraft. The deal will see United “contribute its
expertise in airspace management to assist Archer with the development of battery- powered, short-haul aircraft”. United said that once the aircraft are in
operation “and have met United’s operating and business requirements” it would acquire a fleet of 200 of the aircraft, alongside codeshare partner Mesa Airlines. The carrier said that electric vertical take-
off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft “are expected to give customers a quick, economical and low-carbon way to get to United’s hub airports and commute in dense urban environments within the next five years”. Archer’s aircraft are currently designed to
travel distances of up to 60 miles at speeds of up to 150 miles per hour, and United said that “future models will be designed to travel faster and further”. United said it estimated that the use of
the aircraft could reduce CO2 emissions by 47 per cent per passenger on a trip between Hollywood and Los Angeles International Airport, one of the initial cities where Archer plans to launch its fleet. Archer plans to begin aircraft production
in 2023, before launching consumer flights in 2024. United CEO Scott Kirby said: “Part of
how United will combat global warming is by embracing emerging technologies that decarbonize air travel. By working with Archer, United is showing the aviation industry that now is the time to embrace cleaner, more efficient modes of transportation. “With the right technology, we can curb
the impact aircraft have on the planet, but we have to identify the next generation of companies who will make this a reality early and find ways to help them get off the ground. “Archer’s eVTOL design, manufacturing
model and engineering expertise has the clear potential to change how people commute within major metropolitan cities all over the world.”
36 CHAMBERLINK March 2021
What will Biden’s impact be on trade?
Joe Biden (pictured) has taken over the US presidency from controversial predecessor Donald Trump, and is now well into the first 100 days of his regime. This period is often seen as the one where a
new political regime sets the tone for its time in office, and Biden has already set about introducing new policies and reversing some of Trump’s. Much of the focus so far has been for
domestic consumption, with the new president concentrating on economic and public health measures, to try and get a grip on the coronavirus pandemic. With regard to overseas trade, independent think
tank the Council on Foreign Relations believes the Biden administration will the chart a course somewhere between Trump’s trade wars and what it calls ‘an uncritical acceptance of free trade’. Among decisions Biden will need to take is
whether to resume the trade talks started by Trump – and that includes the United Kingdom. So how will the Biden administration impact
trade between the UK and the US? Chamberlink spoke to Transatlantic Chamber committee members to get their view. David Green, of Digbeth design studio The
Mighty Shed, said he thought that domestic policies would take priority, with Biden striving to keep his promise to ‘help all voters’. He believed one way this would manifest itself
would be support for the US automotive sector, particularly where electric vehicles were concerned. He said: “What this might mean for the West Midlands is don’t count necessarily on the American embrace of auto importation of British mechanics and engineered works. They might just ring-fence that with their own political border wall. Rather than British manufacturing seeing a bump, it’s likely to be science and technology that get shared through the West Midlands.”
Mark Sullivan, of Lichfield-based fruit and veg wholesaler Banabay, said that he believed that the new US president would build a good relationship with the UK. He said: “I am not sure personally if there will be
an impact on the West Midlands in any way through Biden in comparison to Trump but trade opportunities will be there and he has also vowed that, under his administration, America will lead by the ‘power of example’ rather than the ‘example of power’. Surely this will only help relations in the long run and open up more opportunities for the UK and the West Midlands in general.”
‘What’s not clear right now, is how much of a priority a new trade deal will be’
Kirsty Siviter, of patents and trade marks specialist Barker Brettel, said that the UK had always been a key trading partner for the US, and this would no doubt continue. She said: “A new trade deal would give
businesses in the region a great opportunity to build on those existing strong relationships and with the support of organisations like the Transatlantic Chamber, enter new markets. “What’s not clear right now, is how much of a
priority a new trade deal will be.” Robbie Beak, from digital strategy business Ammba, said: “We hope that the new administration in the US will open up further opportunities for British companies looking to sell into the US market and for US companies wishing to work with UK companies.” Shelley Lloyd, a global mobility specialist from
recruitment agency Brunel, was also optimistic and said: “I see the new administration to be very positive as I look to the future for the West Midlands, especially given the entrepreneurial spirit of new start-ups and SMEs in the Midlands.”
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