European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera, who also oversees competition policy, stated on Monday that the European Union’s digital regulations will not be renegotiated despite pressure from Washington. Her remarks came after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suggested that the EU should adopt a more “balanced” approach to regulating the tech sector in return for reduced American tariffs on steel and aluminium Yahoo News Canada Devdiscourse.
Ribera firmly rejected the proposal, stressing that the EU’s digital framework was designed to ensure fair markets and protect consumer rights. “We, Europeans, have adopted our rules to ensure fair markets and to protect consumers’ rights. It’s our duty to preserve our values and to defend our people,” she said Yahoo News Canada.
The EU’s digital rule-book covers areas such as competition, content moderation, and artificial intelligence, and is widely regarded as one of the most stringent regulatory regimes in the world. Brussels has consistently argued that these rules reflect European values of fairness, transparency, and consumer protection, and should not be compromised for trade concessions POLITICO.
The standoff highlights growing tensions between the EU and the U.S. over digital governance and trade policy. While Washington has sought to ease restrictions on American tech companies operating in Europe, Brussels has remained steadfast in defending its regulatory autonomy.
Analysts note that the EU’s position underscores its determination to act as a global standard-setter in digital regulation, even if it complicates trade negotiations with major partners. The refusal to negotiate may also influence ongoing discussions around AI governance, data privacy, and competition law, areas where the EU has taken a more interventionist stance compared to the U.S.
