Trump Is Right to Press the EU on Its Unfair Regulatory Attacks, But Should Remove Tariff Threats If the EU Starts Playing by Fair Rules, Says ITIF

WASHINGTON—Following President Trump’s statement that he plans to impose a 50 percent tariff on the European Union starting June 1, the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), the leading think tank for science and technology policy, released the following statement from ITIF President Robert D. Atkinson:

The Trump administration is right to push back on the EU for its growing list of unjustified corporate penalties and digital regulations specifically targeting U.S. technology firms. If threatening to escalate tariffs succeeds in pressuring the EU to revisiting its unfair regulations, then it can be a positive step. But if the administration’s plan is to escalate and then maintain high tariffs, that will do more harm than good.

The initial “Liberation Day” tariffs and the 90-day pause were meant to start a process to address imbalances. We’re on day 44 of that pause. The focus now should be on addressing problematic EU regulations that unfairly attack U.S. companies under the guise of digital sovereignty or consumer protection.

For more on this issue, see:

• Hilal Aka, “EU Regulatory Actions Against US Tech Companies Are a De Facto Tariff System” (ITIF, April 2025).