EU antitrust chief critiques Trump's impact on transatlantic relations

Tuesday 18 February 2025 - 14:03

Teresa Ribera, the EU's competition commissioner, has expressed concerns about how President Donald Trump has disrupted the historically strong relationship between the United States and Europe. Ribera emphasized the need for Brussels to prioritize stability and predictability, qualities she believes are lacking in Washington. In an interview with Reuters, she stressed that while Europe must engage in trade negotiations with the White House, it should not be pressured into altering established laws.

Ribera criticized Trump’s transactional approach to politics, insisting that Europe must remain firm on fundamental values such as human rights, democracy, and unity. She rejected any notion of "transactions" when it comes to these principles. Additionally, she countered claims from Trump’s administration, which accused the EU of overregulation and levying "taxes" on U.S. tech giants through penalties.

Regarding the EU’s Digital Services Act, which has been under attack from U.S. officials, Ribera urged that any concerns should be addressed through proper dialogue, not coercion. She also highlighted the unpredictability of trade policies coming from the U.S., contrasting this with Europe's more stable legal and business environment, which provides greater certainty for long-term planning.

Ribera, who holds significant power over mergers, fines, and the EU's green agenda, warned of the negative impact of unpredictability on business. She noted that European businesses desire a stable ecosystem, something she feels is missing in the current U.S. policy landscape.

Looking ahead, Ribera confirmed that the EU would take decisive action against proposed tariff increases from the U.S., promising a swift and strong response to any challenges. As for big tech, the EU is preparing to decide on whether Apple and Meta Platforms have complied with the Digital Markets Act, which could result in significant fines if they are found to have violated the regulations. Ribera affirmed that these decisions would be based on evidence and had been thoroughly discussed with the companies involved.

Furthermore, the European Commission is investigating whether Elon Musk's platform X has violated EU rules on illegal content, clarifying that Musk’s ties with Trump would not influence the investigation.