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.”