Former State Department official Mike Benz has issued a strong warning to former US President Donald Trump, urging him to use aggressive diplomatic and trade measures to counter the European Union’s new mandatory disinformation law. The law, which became enforceable on July 1, requires online platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Google to comply with EU content regulations or face hefty penalties. Benz, who worked on cybersecurity and internet policy during Trump’s first presidential term, argued that the law represents a significant escalation in EU efforts to regulate digital content.
Benz’s comments, shared on X, come amid ongoing trade negotiations between Washington and Brussels. Trump has previously threatened to impose 50% tariffs on all EU imports if no deal is reached by the July 9 deadline. Benz emphasized that the US must act urgently to counter the law, which he described as a ‘Global Censorship Law’ and a ‘secret weapon’ of the EU that has now been ‘fully unleashed.’
The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) requires major tech companies, including those based in the United States, to adhere to strict content moderation rules or face substantial fines. Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s tech chief, recently stated that digital competition and content moderation are not topics for trade negotiations, as they are rooted in European values. This stance highlights the growing tension between the EU and US over digital governance and free speech policies.
Benz’s call for a hardball approach underscores the deepening divide between Washington and Brussels on issues of digital regulation. The issue is likely to remain a key point of contention as both sides continue to navigate their complex relationship in the global technology landscape.