Monday, 17 August 2026Europe · Analysis
Independent · Brussels & Berlin
Person
United States Ambassador to the European Union, US Mission to the EU
Washington says the Turnberry trade deal commitments remain unfulfilled and signals possible action against American companies facing due diligence and reporting requirements.
The European Commission has carved out smart glasses, watches and fitness trackers from the batteries regulation, removing a barrier to Meta's Ray-Ban specs in Europe while privacy regulators prepare a separate crackdown.
Brussels asserts sovereign right to regulate digital markets while Roberto Viola leads delegation for preliminary dialogue with US counterparts amid escalating transatlantic friction.
Fines against Google, Apple and Meta since January 2024 have become the sharpest point of friction in US-EU economic relations, with Washington signalling retaliatory measures.
Andrew Puzder tells CNBC that Brussels must choose between regulating American platforms and accessing the hardware and data that power artificial intelligence, as enforcement actions against Meta, Apple, Google and X pile up.
Senior MEPs tell Washington the Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act are settled law, not bargaining chips, as Parliament prepares to vote on transatlantic trade deal Thursday.
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