Public Policy Solutions (PPS) has expressed strong support for United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr in their efforts to address the European Union’s treatment of American tech firms. In a letter sent by PPS co-founder and president Joe Grogan, the organization commended Greer and Carr for their leadership in advocating for fair digital trade practices and strengthening American competitiveness in the digital economy.

Concerns Over EU Regulations

Grogan’s letter highlighted the EU’s approach to digital sovereignty, which he argues has led to the creation of non-tariff barriers that disadvantage American technology and digital service providers. He cited the EU’s Digital Markets Act as a prime example, noting that it has been used to conduct investigations and impose fines on U.S. companies labeled as ‘gatekeepers,’ despite these companies not meeting the EU’s own classification standards.

Further, Grogan pointed out proposed changes to the Digital Networks Act, which could introduce new ‘network usage fees’ that disproportionately affect American firms. He emphasized that while American companies face regulatory challenges in Europe, European firms enjoy favorable market access in the United States.

Impact on Transatlantic Relations

PPS expressed concern about the potential disruption to the Transatlantic Alliance due to what it perceives as ongoing discrimination against U.S. businesses. Grogan warned that if unchecked, the EU’s regulatory model could spread across the Western Hemisphere, encouraging other nations to adopt similar measures that disadvantage U.S. innovators.

Grogan also referenced Deutsche Telekom, a German government-backed telecom giant, as an example of a company supporting the EU’s digital sovereignty agenda while benefiting from open market access in the U.S. He noted that Deutsche Telekom and its subsidiary T-Mobile have actively lobbied American policymakers to maintain this advantageous position.

Call for Reciprocity

In his letter, Grogan praised former President Trump’s emphasis on reciprocity in trade policy, asserting that countries engaging in discriminatory practices against American firms should not expect unchanged relations with Washington. He reiterated that the U.S. has one of the world’s most open digital markets and stressed the need for fair treatment of American companies abroad.

PPS’s report from the previous year further detailed the EU’s protectionist policies, which it claims are designed to achieve European digital sovereignty at the expense of U.S. companies and European consumers.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.