EU Regulatory Actions Against US Tech Companies Are a De Facto Tariff System

The European Union’s regulatory actions against U.S. tech giants—through laws like the Digital Markets Act, GDPR, and the AI Act—are increasingly functioning as de facto tariffs. While marketed as consumer protection and competition policies, these rules disproportionately burden American firms, generate substantial revenue through fines, and create a competitive edge for European alternatives. This strategic regulatory approach mirrors traditional protectionist trade tactics without explicitly invoking tariffs. The U.S. is urged to recognize these digital regulations for what they are: economically targeted barriers in the guise of governance.