Key Takeaways
- French President Macron accuses EU of slow tech giant investigations due to US pressure
- US offers trade concessions in exchange for softening EU digital regulations
- EU Commission defends enforcement pace while facing political pressure
- Multiple major tech platforms under investigation with potential for massive fines
French President Emmanuel Macron has directly accused the European Union of delaying investigations into American tech giants, claiming US political pressure—not Russian interference—is hampering enforcement of digital regulations.
Speaking in northeastern France, Macron highlighted cases stuck with the European Commission for two years under the Digital Services Act, calling the progress “much too slow.” He revealed that many EU officials fear pursuing these cases due to “an American offensive” against digital service directives.
US Trade Pressure Intensifies
Macron’s comments came during a tense week in Brussels where US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick offered reduced steel and aluminum tariffs in exchange for the EU reconsidering its tech regulations. This approach treats European digital rules as bargaining chips in broader trade negotiations.
The EU’s Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act have become contentious since Donald Trump’s return to office, with US officials and tech executives actively lobbying against them. Lutnick suggested the EU could attract $1 trillion in US investment—mainly for AI data centers—if it adopted a more “balanced approach” to digital regulation.
EU Defends Enforcement Record
European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier defended the institution’s approach, stating officials are “building solid cases, because we have to win them in court.” He explained that DSA investigations are comprehensive and some naturally require more time.
The Commission currently has open investigations into X, Meta, AliExpress, Temu, and TikTok under the DSA. These probes could lead to fines reaching 6% of a company’s global annual revenue, though no penalties have been imposed yet.
EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen and competition commissioner Teresa Ribera both resisted US pressure this week, with Ribera describing Washington’s tactics as “blackmail.” Meanwhile, the European Parliament’s Socialists and Democrats group is establishing an inquiry committee to examine the EU’s digital rule enforcement.
