https://www.politico.eu/article/fatal-decision-eu-slammed-for-caving-to-us-pressure-on-digital-rules/ * Skip to main content Advertisement Menu Search for: [ ] Submit Edition: Europe * Europe * UK * France * Germany * US * + Policy areas o Agriculture and Food o Central Banker o Competition and Industrial Policy o Cybersecurity and Data Protection o Defense o Energy and Climate o Energy and Climate UK o Energie et Climat France o Energie & Klima DE o Financial Services o Financial Services UK o Health Care o Industrie & Handel DE o Mobility o Paris Influence o Sustainability o Technology o Technology UK o Tech France o Trade o Trade UK * + Newsletters o Berlin Bulletin o Berlin Playbook o Brussels Playbook o Dimanchissime o EU Influence o Forecast o Global Playbook o Global Policy Lab: Living Cities o Global Security o Le Weekly o London Influence o London Playbook o Playbook Paris o POLITICO Confidential o Sunday Crunch * + Podcasts o Brussels Playbook Podcast o Westminster Insider o Politics at Sam and Anne's o Berlin Playbook -- Der Podcast o Power & Policy o Inside AfD + Opinion o All Opinion o Beyond the Bubble o Germany Interpreted o Declassified o From Across the Pond o Unpacked * + Featured Series o Danish Presidency of the EU o Europe's looming water crisis o Breaking out: Stories of Roma empowerment o COP30 o A global emergency: Tackling antimicrobial resistance o Living Cities o POLITICO 28 + Poll of polls o Elections in Europe o European Parliament election + Politico Live o See All Future Events o About our events * + Apps o Apple Store o Google Play Store + More Info o About us o Media Solutions o POLITICO Studio o Press o Print Edition o Contact Us o Careers at POLITICO POLITICO Pro Europe * Europe * UK * France * Germany * US Log In POLITICO Pro * Home * Latest news * War in Iran * Energy crisis * War in Ukraine * Newsletters * Podcasts * Poll of Polls * Policy news * Events 1. News 2. Technology 'Fatal decision': EU slammed for caving to US pressure on digital rules Critics say Brussels risks ceding control of its tech laws under U.S. pressure. * Copy Link Copied * Share via email * Share on X * Share on WhatsApp * Share on LinkedIn Free article usually reserved for subscribers Under-16s Ban On Social Media Backed By The House of Lords Anna Barclay/Getty Images April 1, 2026 8:55 pm CET By Milena Walde EU lawmakers tore into the European Commission on Wednesday over its plans to open a "dialogue" with Washington on tech rules, warning it risks opening a back door for the Trump administration into the EU's flagship digital laws. "[U.S. President Donald] Trump's approval ratings are at a record low, his war against Iran is gutting the global economy. But instead of creating a sovereign path forward for Europe, [Commission President Ursula] von der Leyen kisses the ring time and again," Greens lawmaker Alexandra Geese told POLITICO. Allowing U.S. officials to take part in discussions on the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), she added, would let "platforms ... grade their own homework" -- amounting to a "fatal decision for our companies and our democracy." Advertisement Advertisement The pushback comes after the Commission announced earlier on Wednesday that it is exploring a new EU-U.S. "dialogue" on digital rules, as Washington piles on the pressure over how Brussels enforces its laws on American tech giants. "We are discussing with the U.S. to set up a dialogue to reinforce our cooperation on digital technologies and markets," Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said, insisting the bloc's rulebook "is not up for negotiation." But critics say the proposed dialogue undercuts that claim -- and risks turning EU tech enforcement into a bargaining chip in broader trade discussions with Washington. "The European Commission must immediately clarify whether this is actually happening. If confirmed, this is nothing short of complete capitulation to the Trump administration's coercive tactics," said Greens MEP Sergey Lagodinsky in a conversation with POLITICO, calling for EU-U.S. trade talks to be paused and the bloc's anti-coercion instrument to be triggered. Others warned the talks could weaken enforcement of landmark legislation designed to curb the power of Big Tech. "No need to do this," said liberal MEP Sandro Gozi. "The Commission must implement the DSA and DMA, not discuss them with the U.S. It's a clear attempt to slow down implementation and weaken enforcement." Advertisement Advertisement In Berlin, lawmakers also voiced alarm. Hansjorg Durz, chair of Germany's Digital Affairs Committee, warned any trade-off would be "highly problematic" and would risk undermining trust in EU enforcement. Greens MP Rebecca Lenhard said the bloc's digital rules "must not become bargaining chips" in a tariff dispute with Washington. The controversy comes as U.S. officials ramp up pressure on Brussels, with senior figures calling for changes to EU tech rules. The proposed dialogue -- potentially involving U.S. participation in talks on enforcement -- would mark a significant shift from the Commission's long-standing position that its digital rulebook is non-negotiable. Eliza Gkritsi, Pieter Haeck and Larissa Kogl contributed to this report. Related Tags Anti-coercion instrument Big Tech Companies Cooperation Democracy digital Digital Markets Act Digital Services Act Enforcement Global economy Markets MEPs Negotiations Platforms Services Tariffs Trade War Related Countries Iran United States Related People Alexandra Geese Sandro Gozi Sergey Lagodinsky Ursula von der Leyen Related Organizations European Commission Our readers read next US military launches rescue mission for pilots who crashed in Iran US military launches rescue mission for pilots who crashed in Iran 7 HRS ago 1 min read 'The only goal is to harm me': MEP Rima Hassan hits back after police detention 'The only goal is to harm me': MEP Rima Hassan hits back after police detention 8 HRS ago 2 mins read Trump tariff tweaks smooth the way for EU-US trade deal approval Trump tariff tweaks smooth the way for EU-US trade deal approval 9 HRS ago 3 mins read 'Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!' Trump threatens Iran's civilian infrastructure 'Bridges next, then Electric Power Plants!' Trump threatens Iran's civilian infrastructure 14 HRS ago 2 mins read More from Milena Walde 'Nothing like the Louvre': Italian art museum hit by cyberattack 'Nothing like the Louvre': Italian art museum hit by cyberattack No masterpiece was damaged after hackers targeted Florence's Uffizi Galleries' surveillance infrastructure. 9 HRS ago 2 mins read Operation Save Orban: Trump deploys Vance to Hungary ahead of election Operation Save Orban: Trump deploys Vance to Hungary ahead of election U.S. President Donald Trump gives a final heave to try and keep under-pressure Prime Minister Viktor Orban in power. 13 HRS ago 3 mins read 'No to war': Austria blocks US warplanes from its airspace 'No to war': Austria blocks US warplanes from its airspace Vice-chancellor Andi Babler said his country wants "nothing to do with Trump's policy of chaos and his war." Apr 2 3 mins read Merz's popularity sinks to new lows as German government support collapses Merz's popularity sinks to new lows as German government support collapses Just 15 percent back Merz's government as dissatisfaction reaches staggering heights. Apr 2 3 mins read * + Facebook + Twitter + YouTube * App Store * Play Store * + Policy o Agriculture and Food o Central Banker o Competition and Industrial Policy o Cybersecurity and Data Protection o Defense o Energy and Climate o Energy and Climate UK o Energie et Climat France o Financial Services o Financial Services UK o Health Care o Industrie & Handel o Mobility o Paris Influence o Sustainability o Technology o Tech France o Technology UK o Trade o Trade UK * + Newsletters o Berlin Bulletin o Berlin Playbook o Brussels Playbook o Dimanchissime o EU Influence o Global Playbook o Global Policy Lab: Living Cities o Global Security o London Influence o London Playbook o Le Weekly o Playbook Paris o POLITICO Confidential o Sunday Crunch * + Podcasts o Brussels Playbook Podcast o Westminster Insider o Politics at Sam and Anne's o Berlin Playbook -- Der Podcast o Power & Policy o Inside AfD + Opinion o All Opinion o Beyond the Bubble o Germany Interpreted o Declassified o From Across the Pond o Unpacked * + Featured Series o Danish Presidency of the EU o Europe's looming water crisis o Polish Presidency of the EU o A global emergency: Tackling antimicrobial resistance o Living Cities o POLITICO 28 + Subscriptions o POLITICO Pro o Print Edition o Research and analysis division + Editions o POLITICO Europe o POLITICO UK o POLITICO France o POLITICO Germany o POLITICO US * Manage Privacy Settings * About us * Contact us * Privacy Policy * Cookie Policy * Media Solutions * Research and Analysis Division * Agency IQ * Press * Print Edition * Careers at POLITICO * Ts&Cs * FAQs