(qlmbusinessnews.com . Tue 25th Nov, 2025) London, UK —
Howard Lutnick Advocates for Flexible EU Tech Policies to Secure Better Trade Deals
Europe has been urged to “rethink” its regulations surrounding major technology corporations if it is eager to benefit from reduced tariff rates on its steel and aluminium exports to the US, as stated by Howard Lutnick, the US Commerce Secretary.
His remarks are timely, aligning with the discussions between representatives from the US and European Union in Brussels, focusing on the current state of the trade agreement settled in July.
This accord adjusted the US tariff rates on European imports to 15%, a figure significantly less than initially feared, in exchange for European commitments of investment and adjustments facilitating increased imports of American agricultural produce.
However, disagreements persist regarding several aspects of the agreement.
Despite European expectations of alleviating tariffs on their metal exports as part of the summer's agreement, the US continues to impose a 50% duty, extending this levy to more products.
Europe also aspires to obtain exemptions from tariffs for goods such as wine, cheese, and pasta, paralleling the recent concession by the Trump administration for tropical fruits and coffee.
During a briefing about the ongoing discussions, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized America's expectation for Europe to honour its vows of reducing tariffs on US commodities before considering any exemptions.
Both he and Mr. Lutnick expressed that the US seeks compromises concerning European regulations on tech corporations as a trade-off for adjustments to metal tariffs.
Mr. Lutnick highlighted in a Bloomberg Television interview the importance of Europe reevaluating its tech policies to become more accommodating towards substantial US companies, including the desire to incorporate steel and aluminium within the negotiation package.
The US has consistently argued that digital services taxes, which impose fees on the revenues of certain large streaming or digital advertising companies, disproportionately affect American businesses.
Tech giants have also expressed discontent with Europe's Digital Markets Act, enforced the previous year with an aim to enhance competition, such as mandating interoperability of devices like iPhones with non-Apple branded accessories.
Following Trump's re-election last year, numerous tech companies anticipated him to lead a charge against these regulations, contrary to the Biden administration, presumed to leave the matter to the companies concerned.
Despite such discussions, European officials, including European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, have insisted that European digital policies are non-negotiable and unprejudiced against American firms, a stance reiterated during Monday's meeting.
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