The European Commission is bracing for continued pressure from Washington while reaffirming its commitment to rigorously enforce new digital regulations targeting major tech corporations. EU Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, in a recent interview with “Stern” magazine, declared an unwavering dedication to implementing the Digital Services Act (DSA), citing the recent penalty levied against platform X as a clear demonstration of this resolve. Virkkunen asserted that the regulations are fundamentally designed to safeguard European citizens, particularly children, from online harms and to foster a more equitable competitive landscape.
The stance comes in the face of escalating criticism from within the United States. US Vice President J.D. Vance has repeatedly accused the EU of stifling freedom of expression through the DSA, a move he argues undermines the transatlantic values partnership. When challenged on accusations of censorship, Virkkunen dismissed them as unfounded, emphasizing that the Commission has never intervened in content moderation decisions online.
The internal debate within Europe itself is equally intense. Several Members of the European Parliament have issued stark warnings against yielding to American criticism. Andreas Schwab, a Member of the European Parliament for the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), warned that backing down would severely damage Europe’s credibility, projecting an image of regulatory capability without the will to defend its core values. Green Party MEP Alexandra Geese echoed this sentiment, arguing that the EU has more to gain than to lose from maintaining its current course. She specifically highlighted Europe’s significant economic leverage, stating that the US economy is dependent on the European internal market and urging policymakers not to diminish Europe’s standing. “Trump and Vance understand strength, not silence” Geese added, implicitly rejecting the notion of appeasement.
The firm response from Brussels and the Parliament represents a significant moment in the evolving transatlantic relationship, potentially signaling a more assertive European approach to digital sovereignty and resisting perceived pressure to align with US interests at the expense of European regulatory goals. The coming weeks are expected to see intensified dialogue, as both sides navigate the implications of these increasingly divergent perspectives.
