Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Union rules that limit the power of Big Tech and force them to take more action against online abuse aren’t part of trade negotiations with the United States, a European Commission spokesperson said on Monday.
On Friday, US President Donald Trump indicated that the European Union’s enforcement of its Big Tech laws could be discussed in ongoing trade talks. The talks may involve the EU making concessions to avoid certain US tariffs.
“The legislations will not be changed. The DMA (Digital Markets Act) and the DSA (Digital Services Act) are not on the table in the trade negotiations with the U.S.,”
Spokesperson Thomas Regnier said at a daily news conference.
What did Trump say about Big Tech rules?
Although the European Union doesn’t specifically tax US tech companies, Trump has criticised the bloc’s laws aimed at regulating anticompetitive behaviour and moderating content published by those companies, specifically, the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act. These rules carry fines for non-compliance after investigations.
What stance did Teresa Ribera take on negotiations?
Recently, amid reports that the EU is considering weakening a key tech-competition law as part of a tariff deal with the US, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera, made it clear that negotiating with the EU’s antitrust laws is not an option.
“Of course not,”
Teresa Ribera stated in an interview when asked whether modifications to the Digital Markets Act (DMA) are part of EU-US tariff discussions.
“We do not challenge the US on how they adopt regulations. I think we deserve respect in the same way.”
Her remarks follow speculation that the EU, previously firm in its refusal to negotiate its tech laws despite heavy US pressure, may have changed its stance. A week ago, the Wall Street Journal reported that the US Trade Representative’s office had circulated a draft “agreement on reciprocal trade.”
What penalties have Apple and Meta received recently?
The European Union has several active investigations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) for major tech firms, Apple, Meta, and Google, mostly for antitrust violations.
Apple and Meta have accrued a total of €700 million ($799 million) for violating the DMA. Apple received a €500 million fine for preventing app developers from directing consumers to other app marketplace options outside the App Store. Meta was fined €200 million for its “pay or consent” model on Facebook and Instagram.
How is Google being investigated under the DMA?
In addition, Google is also under formal investigation for favouring its own services in its search results, and restrictions in the Google Play store preventing app developers from freely directing consumers to alternate purchasing pathways.
