Is Trump Using Trade Talks to Gut Europe’s Digital Rules for Big Tech?

02/12/2025 27 min

Listen "Is Trump Using Trade Talks to Gut Europe’s Digital Rules for Big Tech?"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode of Rethinking Trade, Lori speaks with digital governance expert Dr. Kristina Irion and Rethink Trade research director Daniel Rangel about a key issue resurfacing in Brussels: The Trump administration's joint push with Big Tech to use trade rules to limit how democracies regulate data, privacy, and algorithmic oversight. Although recorded earlier this year, the conversation is newly relevant as Commerce Secretary Lutnick and USTR Greer signal openness to tying U.S. tariff decisions to EU digital policy concessions — the same agenda now back on the transatlantic negotiating table.