WASHINGTON, July 22: A group of 25 Republican lawmakers has urged US President Donald Trump to take a tougher stance against the European Union’s digital regulatory framework, arguing that the bloc’s policies unfairly target American technology companies and warrant a formal trade response.
In a letter addressed to the President, the lawmakers alleged that the EU has adopted regulatory measures that place disproportionate obligations on US-based technology firms while creating an uneven playing field for global competitors. They called on the administration to examine the issue closely and, if necessary, initiate trade investigations under existing US laws.
The lawmakers raised concerns over the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which is designed to curb the market dominance of major online platforms. The legislation currently applies to several large technology firms, including Amazon, Apple, Alphabet-owned Google, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Booking Holdings and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok.
According to the letter, the lawmakers believe the EU is using its regulatory framework as an economic tool that places American companies at a competitive disadvantage. They argued that expanding the DMA to include cloud computing operations of Amazon and Microsoft would impose compliance costs that rival European and Chinese cloud providers would not face.
The lawmakers also criticised the European Commission’s expected enforcement action against Google over alleged violations of the DMA. They contended that regulators had failed to adequately consider changes already made by the company to its search services in response to earlier concerns.
Another point of contention was the EU’s designation of companies such as Apple, Meta and Amazon as “gatekeepers” under the DMA while Chinese online marketplaces Temu and AliExpress are not currently subject to the same classification. The lawmakers questioned whether the rules were being applied consistently, although gatekeeper status under the DMA is determined by specific thresholds, including user numbers within the European Union.
Calling for a stronger US response, the lawmakers said the administration should use every available legal option if discussions with Brussels fail to resolve the issue. They specifically referred to Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, which authorises the United States to investigate and respond to unfair foreign trade practices through measures such as tariffs or other retaliatory actions.
The group further argued that continued access to the US market should not be viewed as unconditional if the EU persists with policies they described as discriminatory toward American digital businesses.
Responding to the criticism, the European Commission rejected allegations of unfair treatment. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said the European Union has the sovereign right to regulate economic activity within its own territory and insisted that its digital rules are enforced fairly and without discrimination.
Regnier also said Brussels remains committed to strengthening transatlantic cooperation on digital policy while preserving its regulatory independence, adding that continued dialogue between the EU and the United States is in the mutual interest of both sides.