Public Policy Solutions Co-Founder and President Joe Grogan argues in his op-ed, “The European Union’s Economic Double Standard with America Must End,” that Europe cannot continue benefiting from American innovation and security while placing discriminatory barriers in front of American companies.
In his op-ed, Joe argues:
For years, the European Union has relied heavily on the United States for technological leadership, economic partnership, and defense. At the same time, European officials have built an increasingly aggressive regulatory system aimed at some of America’s most successful technology companies.
The EU presents these policies as neutral regulation. In practice, they often function as digital protectionism—targeting American firms with costly rules, investigations, fines, and taxes while giving European competitors an advantage.
President Trump is right to demand a more balanced relationship. The United States should welcome fair trade and strong partnerships with its European allies, but those relationships must be based on reciprocity.
Europe cannot expect continued access to American markets, technology, and security while using its regulatory power to weaken the very companies driving American innovation. If European leaders refuse to address these unfair practices, the United States should be prepared to respond.
America has long challenged predatory trade behavior from adversaries such as China. It must be equally willing to confront unfair treatment when it comes from allies.
The transatlantic partnership remains important, but it cannot succeed under two different sets of rules. The European Union’s economic double standard must end.