Commission confirms digital talks with US amid concerns over EU tech rule enforcement

The European Commission has confirmed that it is engaged in discussions with the United States on digital policy, following media reports about possible US involvement in how EU tech rules are enforced.

The talks focus on establishing a dialogue aimed at improving cooperation on digital technologies and markets. According to the Commission, the objective is to clarify misunderstandings and address shared challenges.

The discussions come amid tensions over EU regulation of large technology companies. The EU’s main digital laws, including the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA), have been a point of concern for the United States, particularly under the administration of Donald Trump.

The Commission has stated that these rules are not subject to negotiation, including in the context of broader trade discussions. However, reports have suggested that the US may seek greater involvement in how the rules are applied in practice, particularly regarding enforcement actions against American companies.

Under EU law, the Commission has discretion in how it enforces digital and competition rules, including which cases to pursue and how quickly investigations proceed. This has led to criticism from some European leaders, including Emmanuel Macron, who have called for faster enforcement.