US President Donald Trump took to social media to attack anyone who imposes legislation that hampers American tech companies, sfinishing a strong message that could be directed against the European Union, despite the recently achieved trade deal.
Trump threatened potential new tariffs against those countries. He only stated they would be “substantial” without providing any other specifications. He stated on a message on social media that “American Technology Companies are neither the ‘piggy bank’ nor the ‘doormat’ of the World any longer. Show respect to America and our amazing Tech Companies or consider the consequences!”.
While he didn’t name the EU directly, Trump also stated that “Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and Digital Markets Regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology,” creating possible references to EU regulations like the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). Both regulations have been heavily criticised by US tech companies, which are often under investigation for breaching them. Apple, Meta, and Alphabet are all currently under investigation for breaching the DMA, with social media platforms like X, Instagram, and Facebook being scrutinised under the DSA.
The remarks sent chills down Europe’s spine after the bloc reached a trade deal with the US, highlighting how Trump can still be unpredictable and unstable.
The new trade deal has largely been seen as negative for the EU, and Trump’s tirade immediately put a strain on it. Despite the EU’s insistence, there is no provision for finishing new tariff hikes from the US.
However, the EU is not willing to compromise on the issue. It has been reported that during nereceivediations, the Commission refutilized to budge on tech regulations, despite US insistence. On Tuesday, Paula Pinho, the Commission’s chief spokesperson, reiterated that “it is the sovereign right of the EU and its member states to regulate economic activities on our territory, which are consistent with our democratic values.”
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