European digital sector under attack in Washington. Cavazzini: “We defend citizens, not Big Tech”

Brussels – The European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) did not receive a warm welcome in Washington this week. After the harsh reception of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, who saw her meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio canceled at the last minute, this time, it is the representatives of the EU Parliament who felt unwelcome in the US capital.

The delegation’s goal was to obtain information on shared challenges in the areas of digital innovation, cybersecurity, and fair competition and, most importantly, identify opportunities for transatlantic cooperation. At the end of their visit, mission members issued a statement this morning (Feb. 28) that does not bode well for the future of transatlantic collaboration in the technology sector. IMCO President Anna Cavazzini, after meeting with members of Congress, representatives of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and members of the Chamber of Commerce and State Department, stated bluntly, “We have witnessed aggressive communication by US lawmakers and the Trump administration targeting our tech regulation.”

“During our mission to Washington,” the German Green MEP added, “it became clear that these attacks are far from representative of the views of the majority of stakeholders, but rather only those of powerful tech giants in Silicon Valley.” The delegation leader also pointed out that the basis of these “giants” business models is toothless self-regulation at odds with how Europe does things.

Cavazzini called “very worrisome” the US removal of all AI security safeguards given the exponential development of the technology. In contrast, as the Commission said, the smaller US tech firms confirmed that they have benefited from the European Digital Markets Act.

Cavazzini spoke of “misunderstandings with regard to our regulation” and recalled how European laws are the result of a democratic process: “We cannot backtrack on our digital rulebook, made with the European citizens and businesses in mind and not to appease American ‘Big Tech’ oligopolies.” The statement concludes with a warning: “Let us not forget: the single market remains one of the biggest opportunities for US companies, and a hostile approach, therefore, is not beneficial to either side.” With the announcement of 25 percent tariffs on Europe by Donald Trump and keeping well in mind the quasi-clientelistic relations that bind the president with Silicon Valley bigwigs, it is hard to imagine that hostilities will end there.