US threats to EU digital sovereignty unacceptable

Renew Europe strongly rejects the latest remarks made by the U.S. President on open markets and recalls EU's full legislative autonomy. Freedom of expression is guaranteed in Europe and we would expect President Trump to safeguard it in his own country before lecturing us. Europe won’t rewrite its laws under threat. The DSA and DMA are non-discriminatory, pro-competition, and here to stay.

Renew recalls the EU Parliament has a powerful legislative shield. Our house can and will block any weakening of consumer protection or competition rules.

Valérie Hayer, President of Renew Europe, said:

"Europe’s digital rulebook protects consumers and open markets. It does not target any country or company. Threats of punitive tariffs or export blackmail will not change EU law. We stand ready for dialogue with the United States—but we will never negotiate Europe’s legislation under threats. We make law through our own European democratic process, not by foreign pressure. Allies don't bully allies."

If any partner takes unlawful action against the EU, our response will be firm, proportionate, and rules-based—through the WTO, the EU’s Enforcement and Anti-Coercion instruments, and strong unity of EU Member States.

Sandro Gozi MEP (Mouvement Démocrate, France), Renew Europe's representative in the DSA working group in the EP, said:

"If the Commission were to bend under pressure, we can block any weakening of the DSA or DMA—whether through ordinary law-making or secondary acts. We can also use hearings, resolutions, budgetary leverage, and, if necessary, legal action before the Court to defend Europe’s digital rulebook. Europe’s rules will not be rewritten under threat. It is a matter of sovereignty and freedom which we must all defend.”

Accordingly, we expect the European Commission to reject the ultimatum publicly without further delay, reaffirm that the DSA/DMA are technology- and country-neutral, and get with the U.S. at the table for structured talks on interoperability, due process, and enforcement transparency.

MEP Karin Karlsbro (Liberalerna, Sweden), Renew Europe’s standing rapporteur on EU-US trade relations and Vice-Chair of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) stated:

“The purpose of the tariff deal between the EU and the US was to create stability. Trump’s continued attempts to control European legislation via repeated tariff threats are unacceptable. Both sides must uphold the deal if we are to take it seriously and implement our part.”

MEP Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (Modem, France) Renew Europe coordinator for the Committee on International Trade, emphasised:

“We can no longer remain spectators in the face of Donald Trump’s blackmail. For him to call into question an unbalanced agreement that was in his favor and attack our digital rules amounts to economic aggression. Europe must neither endure nor give in: it is time to activate the anti-coercion instrument without delay.”