EU surrenders to Trump for trade tariffs – now there is danger of potential for another surrender | Thierry Breton

fResh Threat of sanctions Just emerged from the Atlantic, targeting Europe and any official who dared to enforce the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates technology platforms and digital operations. These sanctions carry new trade barriers and unprecedented export restrictions.

How long have we tolerated these threats? Submit to those who want to impose rules, laws, deadlines? Submit to those who now assume that determines our basic democratic and moral principles, the rules of our lives, and even how do we protect our children online? Why and in whose name we abandon our double digital regulations, DSA and the Digital Markets Act (DMA)vote for clarity, courage and belief as law By slope In the European Parliament? (Worth remembering European Parliament members vote For DMA’s 588 votes, it was 11 votes with 31 abstentions, while DSA’s 539 votes with 54 votes with 30 abstentions. )

The ever-increasing misunderstanding is opening Europe and U.S. digital regulations. The main technology platform (in this case, the United States) is leveraging beekeeping bays. This is a deep regret. Because adjusting the information space is not optional: it is Sine Qua non Turn the narrow business logic of a few into a real contribution to human progress and common interests.

Throughout history, humanity has managed to regulate its territory, oceans and airspace. This is the privilege of the sovereign state. This is the essence of sovereignty itself. The task of giving up today, regulating the fourth realm (digital space) by leaving it to a handful of private actors will be a historic abdication to the public realm of democratic promises.

In fact, DMA and DSA are nothing more than expanding us from the physical world to the digital world. In other words: the rule of law. Europe was the first and only continent to take this step. It has good reason to be proud.

Let us be absolutely clear: normative digital space has never been, and will never be an attack on freedom of speech. Instead, this freedom has always been a legitimate concern and core requirement of the European Parliament.

Europe is free to define its own laws and policies and remains an open market. However, this openness comes with a condition that our laws must be respected. Our democratic sovereignty must be maintained. This is not negotiable. Not for sale. If they want to enter our market, they must abide by our democratic framework no matter where they come from. Otherwise, they will face significant sanctions and the European Commission has the responsibility to apply promptly.

No tariffs. No attempt was made to keep anyone out. Not wanting to be banned in our European digital space. This is the opposite of what the United States imposes on the world of physical trade. The punitive unilateral tariff system has already put a lot of pressure on the EU. That should make us reflect.

Let’s speak out: Alternative EU negotiation path Possible; a person who does not involve our submission. Preemptive surrender Not the only option: a supposed balance of power between partners of equal weight.

Why is Europe the largest trading partner of the United States – the same terms as Mexico or Canada do not accept trade volumes comparable to the EU? After months of difficult negotiations with the Trump administration, they maintained full exemptions for more than 90% of export taxes, with the rest ranging from 10% to 50%. Their overall average tariff rate Now under 5%. This is the result of four months of hard, positive negotiations between Mexico, Canada and the United States. This is not the conclusion of the final outcome, but the battle is worth it.

The committee correctly negotiated on the same basis (zero) within a very wide product range. Then why did Europe eventually lower its guards and Accept 15% tariff About the exports from Europe to the United States Recognize zero tariffs About U.S. imported products, including most agricultural products?

Worse, in order to benefit from this so-called “special discount,” Europe is now forced to commit to buying US$75 billion worth of U.S. energy and invest an additional $200 billion in the U.S. economy each year, except for the current investment flow of $30 billion. Is this really the best deal Europe could have hoped for?

We’re told Surrender is desirable Uncertainty and trade war risks. Indeed, war usually ends with surrender. But what real assurances have we obtained after acknowledging so much to ensure the assumption of tariff stability (the understandable demand of our business)?

What if Europe is “punished” again, this time it’s because it’s not buying enough American gasoline? Or, if its business chooses to invest those hundreds of billions of dollars into the European economy and jobs?

We are told that humiliation is the price we pay for stability. But if we don’t look back now, we will gain humiliation and instability. Is the latest attack on our digital laws ultimately enough to wake us up?

It has risen now. Europeans must stand together and declare loud and clear: “Enough, Es Reicht,,,,, ça is enough,,,,, Adesso Basta,,,,, dośćTego,,,,, Ya Basta …”Europe, stand up!