The debate between the European Union and the United States over artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a clash over regulation, competitiveness, and control of digital infrastructure.
US envoy to the EU Andrew Puzder criticized Europe’s approach, warning that the EU risks weakening its own position in the global AI race if it focuses too heavily on restricting foreign tech companies rather than building its own capabilities.
His comments come ahead of a major EU policy push aimed at strengthening Europe’s tech sector, particularly in areas like AI, cloud computing, and semiconductors. The EU has expressed concern about its dependence on US-based giants such as Amazon, Microsoft, and Google for critical cloud infrastructure.
Puzder argued that competitiveness cannot be achieved by “bringing other people down,” and instead urged cooperation between the US and Europe—especially as both regions seek to counterbalance China’s growing technological influence.
He also emphasized that access to data centers and advanced hardware is essential for innovation, suggesting that regulatory pressure on US firms could ultimately slow Europe’s progress rather than strengthen it.
At the same time, the EU has been actively enforcing digital competition rules, including significant fines against major US tech companies in recent years. This regulatory stance remains one of the key friction points in transatlantic relations.
Despite the tension, both sides have recently signaled a willingness to continue dialogue on digital policy, suggesting a possible effort to balance regulation with cooperation in the AI and cloud computing race.
