EU Defends Sovereign Right to Regulate Tech vs. Trump’s Tariff Threats

The European Commission defended its sovereign right to regulate in response to Donald Trump’s threat of retaliation against EU Big Tech laws, Jorge Liboreiro and Peggy Corlin reported for Euronews.

The fragile alliance between the European Union and the United States took a new turn after Trump unexpectedly threatened to impose “substantial additional tariffs” on countries enacting legislation targeting American tech companies

The fragile alliance between the European Union and the United States took a new turn after Trump unexpectedly threatened to impose “substantial additional tariffs” on countries enacting legislation targeting American tech companies “unless these discriminatory actions are removed.”

He did not specify tariff levels.

“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!” Trump said in a social media post.

The European Commission, apparently caught off guard by the extraordinary White House warning, responded by asserting its right to legislate free from outside pressure.

“It is the sovereign right of the EU and its member states to regulate economic activities on our territory, consistent with our democratic values,” Commission chief spokesperson Paula Pinho said. “These are separate questions.”