As the US-EU tariff pause nears its July 9 deadline, digital trade talks remain stalled. The EU presses ahead with regulations de facto targeting US tech, sparking tensions over digital sovereignty, market access, and the line between sovereignty and protectionism.
The EU talks simplification, not deregulation. Despite promises to cut red tape, major digital laws like the GDPR and AI Act are likely to remain largely untouched. Cosmetic tweaks and harmonization are the focus, while new regulatory layers resurface under fresh labels.
The Commission's fourth simplification package outlined two digital-oriented changes: simplified record-keeping requirements under the GDPR for larger companies, and the introduction of a ‘digital-first’ principle for product legislation.
The Hungarians criticize foreign interference in Romanian elections via social media, likening Western platforms to CCP propaganda. This may result in stricter media controls ahead of its 2026 elections.
