techUK news and views
02 Dec 2020

EU proposal for the revival of transatlantic relations

The European Commission together with the European External Action Service published today “A new EU-US Agenda for Global Change”, which seeks to define EU’s strategic pitch to the incoming Biden Administration. 

The proposals are built around four different areas of cooperation in a post-COVID world:  

  • “a healthier world” 

  • “protect our planet” 

  • “technology and trade” 

  • “a safer and more democratic world” 

EU-US Tech Alliance 

The proposal has a strong focus on digital technologies and calls for “a joint EU-US tech agenda.” The Commission’s priorities cover “a new transatlantic dialogue on the responsibility of online platforms”, “cooperation between competent authorities for antitrust enforcement in digital markets” and “fair taxation in the digital economy” namely “the timely conclusion of discussions on a global solution within the context of OECD and G20.” 

The EU hopes to work with the incoming administration through a “Transatlantic Trade and Technology Council”. 

The Commission also wants increased cooperation on cybersecurity capabilities and artificial intelligence rules. The proposal highlights a “growing convergence of views on tech governance” and common challenges including on “critical infrastructure, such as 5G, 6G or cybersecurity assets.” 

How might the incoming Administration react 

The Biden Administration is much more likely to want to engage constructively and in a targeted way towards achievable aims with the European Union that its predecessor. 

However, there could be several roadblocks in achieving comprehensive cooperation on tech regulation, mainly due to the different views and approaches to areas such as privacy, digital tax or platform regulation.  

US lawmakers have long been sceptical of EU’s approach to tech regulation, perceiving it as protectionist and targeted at foreign competition, primarily from the US. 

Ultimately, a big first test of this new proposed relationship will be to see if the EU and the US can agree a revived framework for data transfers that can survive the European Court of Justice. Although there is commitment on both sides to make it happen, it’s far from a straightforward exercise. 

Where does that leave the UK 

A lot of the same discussions, whether it’s the National Data Strategy, the Online Harms proposal or the competition initiatives, are taking place in London too. 

The UK should seek cooperation on all these areas with both the EU and the US as it negotiates trade deals with both and smooth conditions for market access. 

For the tech sector, the biggest barriers to trade are those behind the border, such as rules, laws and regulations. The more cooperation we can have with our key partners on these crucial issues that will define the digital economy for decades to come, the better. 

 

Sabina Ciofu

Sabina Ciofu

Associate Director – International, techUK

 

Return to listing