France and Germany have stood firm against U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats over Europe’s new digital laws. The EU is pushing ahead with rules aimed at tech giants, and leaders in Paris and Berlin say they won’t back down.
Earlier this week, Trump warned he might impose more tariffs on countries that have digital taxes or regulations. He claimed these rules unfairly target American tech companies. This warning came as the European Union rolls out its Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act, which are designed to limit the power of big tech firms and push online platforms to tackle harmful content.
During a joint press conference on Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe has the right to make its own laws. He told reporters that any U.S. attempt to pressure the EU would be met with a strong response. “Tax and regulation decisions belong to our parliaments,” Macron said. “No one else gets to decide for us.” He referenced the EU’s anti-coercion tool, which lets the bloc respond if other countries try to bully it into changing its rules.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stood alongside Macron and echoed the same message. He said he made it clear to Trump that the EU’s approach to regulating tech is about its sovereignty. “We do this for ourselves and no one else’s opinion will change that,” Merz said.
The European Commission also pushed back on Trump’s claims. It said the new laws apply equally to all companies working in Europe, not just American ones.
This standoff highlights growing tensions over how governments want to control big tech. The EU sees its rules as necessary to protect users and maintain fairness. The U.S., meanwhile, views some regulations as harmful to its companies. For now, Europe’s leaders are making it clear they won’t be bullied into backing down from their plans.