EU May Target Big Tech Data Use to Counter US Tariffs
The European Union’s response to US tariffs may center on regulating how American tech giants utilize European user data, a significant escalation in the ongoing trade dispute. This strategy, suggested by France’s finance minister, leverages a critical vulnerability: the immense value of the data these companies extract from the vast European market.
The sheer volume of data collected by American tech companies from European users represents a powerful bargaining chip. By implementing stricter regulations on data usage, the EU could significantly increase the cost of doing business for these companies, potentially forcing them to negotiate more favorable trade terms. This approach avoids the pitfalls of directly targeting products, as previous sanctions did, instead focusing on the services and software sector where the US holds a considerable advantage.… Continue reading
Matt Underwood