The European Commission confirmed on Monday that ambitious regulations aimed at reducing the influence of big tech companies in the digital space and increasing accountability will not be part of ongoing trade talks with the United States. These regulations stand out as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA), aimed at reshaping the operations of technology giants in Europe.
Speaking at the daily press briefing, Commission Spokesperson Thomas Regnier made it clear that these laws would not be on the table in trade negotiations:
“These laws will not be changed. The DMA and DSA are not on the table in trade negotiations with the US,” he said.
Digital Markets Act (DMA) – Enacted in 2022
The DMA aims to prevent large technology companies, referred to as “gatekeepers,” from abusing their dominant position in the market. The law, which introduces rules to encourage competition, aims to ensure that small digital startups can operate in a fair competitive environment. Digital Services Act (DSA) – Enacted in 2024 The DSA focuses on online content moderation, protecting user rights, and combating harmful content such as disinformation and hate speech. The law imposes a responsibility on technology platforms to quickly remove illegal content and prevent the misuse of their services. The European Union’s clear stance on this issue makes tensions particularly visible with US-based giants such as Google, Meta (Facebook), Amazon, and Apple. The US has warned that such regulations could stifle innovation and negatively impact economic growth; EU officials argue that the primary aim of these laws is to protect the consumer and make the digital environment safer and fairer.
Emphasis on Digital Independence in Europe
Spokesperson Regnier’s statements reflect the EU’s commitment to protecting its regulatory independence. Despite criticism from some quarters of being an “overburden,” the European Commission emphasizes that the DMA and DSA are cornerstones of the EU’s digital policy vision. This approach will serve as a model not only for technology and trade negotiations with the US, but also with other global actors. These steps by the EU to regulate the digital economy are likely to profoundly impact the global technology sector, which is striving to strike a balance between innovation and responsibility.
