EU REJECTS TRUMP’S CRITICISM OF DIGITAL RULES, DENIES CENSORSHIP CLAIMS

The European Commission dismissed U.S. President Donald Trump’s accusations that EU digital services legislation unfairly discriminates against American technology firms. The Commission also rejected claims that the rules amount to censorship, underscoring the EU’s sovereign right to regulate its digital economy.

The exchange comes just days after Washington and Brussels announced a joint trade statement, reducing most U.S. tariffs on EU exports to 15%. The deal, however, made little mention of the ongoing disputes over digital services.

On Monday, Trump threatened to impose new tariffs on countries that adopt digital taxes or regulations, arguing such measures were “all designed to harm or discriminate against American technology.” His administration has repeatedly criticized the EU’s flagship regulations: the Digital Markets Act (DMA), designed to limit the dominance of tech giants, and the Digital Services Act (DSA), which compels large online platforms to curb harmful and illegal content.

Commission Defends Its Ground

The European Commission, which drafted both laws, issued a sharp rebuttal. Officials stressed that the legislation applies to all companies operating in the bloc, regardless of origin. “It is the sovereign right of the EU and its member states to regulate economic activities,” a Commission spokesperson said.

To counter Trump’s suggestion of bias, the spokesperson noted that the last three enforcement actions under the DSA were against AliExpress, Temu, and TikTok—all Chinese-owned platforms. Meanwhile, ongoing investigations target X (formerly Twitter) and Meta, two U.S.-based giants.

Censorship Allegations Rejected

The Commission also rejected criticism from Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who has accused European data laws of amounting to censorship. “These accusations are completely wrong and unfounded,” the spokesperson said.

The DSA does not instruct platforms to remove content directly. Instead, it requires them to enforce their own community standards and terms of service. “When we’re talking about this, more than 99% of content moderation decisions in the EU are taken proactively by platforms themselves, based on their own rules,” the Commission added.

Broader Implications

The clash highlights the tension between Europe’s push for stricter digital governance and U.S. concerns over its impact on American firms dominating the global tech sector. As regulatory clarity grows on both sides of the Atlantic, the debate underscores a central question: who sets the standards for the digital economy?

For now, the EU insists its new framework is not about discrimination—but about accountability, transparency, and creating a safer online space for its 450 million citizens.