WASHINGTON — U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer issued a stark warning to Brussels on Tuesday, rejecting the European Union's regulatory overreach into American technology firms and asserting that only Washington will set the rules for its own industries. Speaking at an Axios House event in the nation's capital, Greer framed the EU's aggressive enforcement of digital competition and content laws as a direct challenge to U.S. economic sovereignty.
Sovereignty Over Silicon Valley
"We're not going to let Europe control the global regulation of our companies," Greer stated. He acknowledged domestic debates over Big Tech's power but insisted those conversations must be resolved by American policymakers, not foreign bureaucrats. "Whatever challenges we may have with these companies, and they are real, and we want to cover them, we're just not going to let Europe be the arbiter."
The dispute centers on EU legislation such as the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act, which American critics argue are protectionist measures designed to extract penalties and operational concessions from predominantly U.S.-based firms. These laws frequently impose compliance costs that ultimately burden American workers and shareholders while siphoning revenue to EU member states. Greer demanded "concrete actions" from Europe to rein in enforcement that disproportionately targets U.S. enterprises, which provide "a lot of free services to consumers and provide a lot of consumer welfare."
"People differ on how big tech should be treated. What I can tell you is we're not going to let Europe control the global regulation of our companies."
Greer's stance reflects the administration's broader commitment to economic nationalism, treating EU tech regulations as a trade barrier requiring a firm response. The globalist framework that long allowed Brussels to set de facto global standards for American innovation is being directly contested. For American workers in the tech sector and related industries, the message is unambiguous: their economic future will not be determined by unaccountable regulators in Europe. The U.S. Trade Representative made it clear that protecting domestic industry from extraterritorial regulation is now a core pillar of American trade policy.