US lawmakers urge Trump to act against EU tech rules, suggest trade probes

A group of 25 U.S. lawmakers has called on President Donald Trump to take decisive action against European Union tech regulations, arguing that the EU's digital policies unfairly target American technology giants. The lawmakers expressed concern that the EU is using its rules as a tool for "economic extraction and regulatory coercion" against U.S. firms.

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We write to bring to your attention the many ways the EU continues to pursue anti-competitive acts, policies, and practices as a tool of economic extraction and regulatory coercion against American firms and to encourage your administration to take decisive action before the EU further entrenches this anti-American regime

In a letter obtained by Reuters, the Republican lawmakers focused on the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to regulate the power of major tech companies like Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta, and Microsoft. They warned that imposing unprecedented regulatory burdens on companies like Amazon and Microsoft's cloud units under the DMA would disadvantage them compared to European and Chinese competitors.

The lawmakers also criticized the European Commission's anticipated fine against Google for alleged DMA breaches, stating that the sanction overlooks the company's significant changes to its search services. They questioned why European regulators designated Apple, Meta, and Amazon as "gatekeepers" under the DMA, while excluding Chinese platforms like Temu and AliExpress, noting that such labels depend on user numbers in Europe.

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would impose unprecedented regulatory burdens that European and Chinese cloud competitors would not face.

If diplomatic efforts fail, the lawmakers urged the U.S. to utilize all available tools, including Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows for retaliatory measures such as tariffs. They emphasized that the EU's access to the U.S. market is not guaranteed and could be restricted if discriminatory digital sector practices continue.

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It is important to make clear that the EU's access to the U.S. market is not guaranteed and can be limited should the EU continue to pursue discriminatory acts, policies, and practices in the digital sector.