US trade negotiator Jamieson Greer said he was "disappointed" the EU did not temper enforcement of digital rules after a July US-EU trade deal, citing recent probes and a fine aimed at US tech firms. The EU has opened antitrust investigations into Alphabet and Meta over in-house AI and fined X for practices it says deceive users. European officials say they are enforcing existing laws and have delayed or eased some upcoming rules to boost competitiveness, not due to US pressure.
US Trade Chief Says He’s ‘Disappointed’ With EU Over Crackdown On Big Tech
A chart showing the US’ trade surplus in services and deficit in goods.
The United States' top trade negotiator, Jamieson Greer, has publicly expressed frustration with the European Union's recent regulatory actions targeting major American technology firms, saying the moves risk increasing transatlantic tensions.
Greer said he was "disappointed" that the EU had not moderated enforcement of digital rules after a US-EU trade agreement was reached in July. In recent days the bloc opened antitrust investigations into Alphabet and Meta over their use of in-house artificial intelligence on platforms, and fined X for practices the EU says "deceive users."
"We were hoping to see a more measured approach to enforcement after the July agreement," Greer said, voicing concern that stricter actions could undermine cooperation on digital trade and innovation.
European officials counter that they are simply applying existing laws and that some regulatory deadlines have been delayed or eased. EU representatives say those adjustments are intended to bolster competitiveness and clarify rules for industry, not to respond to external pressure from Washington.
Why This Matters
The dispute highlights a broader debate over how to govern powerful tech platforms while balancing competition, consumer protection and innovation. How the US and EU manage these tensions could shape global standards for AI, data and platform regulation, and affect the business environment for major technology companies on both sides of the Atlantic.
