US Lawmakers raise concerns over EU Tech regulations allegedly targeting American firms

A bipartisan coalition of 21 US legislators, including Representative Lou Correa and Thomas Massie, authored a letter to President Joe Biden expressing apprehensions about the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). They argue that the DMA unfairly targets major US tech giants—Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft—as ‘gatekeeper’ service providers, prompting concerns about economic ramifications and the nation’s prominence in the digital domain. Emphasising the significance of American leadership in technology, these lawmakers urge Biden to secure fairness in implementation by seeking assurances from the EU.

The letter also raises concerns about the absence of classification for Chinese companies like Alibaba, Huawei, and Tencent, along with a lack of scrutiny on European counterparts. It underscores potential adverse effects on the US economy and consumer safety.

Why does this matter?

Before the Digital Markets Act (DMA) was finalised, the US government cautioned the EU about excessive regulation of American tech firms. The White House National Security Council specifically conveyed to EU representatives that exclusively focusing the bill on American companies would impede collaborative efforts between the US and the EU. The ongoing EU-US Trade and Technology Council, initiated in 2021, strives to synchronize technology regulations, focusing on alignment in areas such as supply chain security and foreign investment.