Kate Lancaster-Ryan – June 2022
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kate Lancaster-Ryan
While the EU has been more consistent in establishing policy and regulation, from the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) to new proposals like the Digital Services Act, legislative efforts in the US have faltered at the federal level. Yet the need for action on the issues posed by technology and to find a balance between public protection and fostering innovation remains on both sides of the Atlantic.
With this recognised need in mind, the Biden Administration and the von der Leyen Commission created the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to ‘coordinate approaches to key global trade, economic, and technology issues’. But even as the EU has been more successful at setting digital policy that challenges the power of Big Tech, the US is still the centre of technological innovation and large, influential digital platforms. Any legislative gains in US digital policy will likely have an enormous impact on the digital landscape globally.
If the EU wants to be the global standard-setter for digital policy, it must use different forms of cooperation to ensure US policy incorporates these standards. Although the second meeting of the TTC has been fruitful in some areas, it does not have to be the sole forum for transatlantic cooperation in digital policy, nor should it be.
Change in the air
We should not underestimate the desire of US-based legislators for change in how technology companies operate. There have been numerous proposals at the federal level that challenge the current US digital policy status quo. For example, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) proposed the American Innovation and Choice Online Act, which – like the Digital Markets Act – aims to prevent dominant platforms from prioritising their own services. While change at the federal level has been slow and has repeatedly come up against the behemoth of Silicon Valley lobbying, the shifting mood among American politicians is obvious.
The EU should take advantage of existing venues like the EU-US Inter-Parliamentary meetings and establish links with US politicians who may be more favourable to introducing policy that is compatible with EU legislation. US politicians who wish to curb the influence of Big Tech can benefit by learning from the experience of EU legislators who have already successfully passed legislation in this area. Proposals like that for an American innovation and choice online act already appear to be somewhat influenced by EU legislation, but closer ties could foster more EU-inspired policy. Policy diffusion can be a useful way of spreading standards and has been successful in the past. California’s Consumer Privacy Act was heavily inspired by the GDPR and introduced a similar level of data privacy to Californian residents. California’s experience also shows the importance of state-level actors in the US policy landscape.
Cases taken against Big Tech by state attorney generals to uphold the rights of their citizens is another clear example of this growing political desire for more robust regulation. On top of that, these cases are bipartisan, with both Democratic and Republican attorney generals initiating actions against large technology firms. While they come from different perspectives, this is one of the few remaining areas in US policy where cross-party cooperation takes place.
The EU can also take advantage of these developments by using regional forums to encourage cooperation and adoption of similar policies. The International Urban and Regional Cooperation already matches cities in North America and Europe to collaborate on sustainability projects; why not establish something similar for digital policy?
To ensure ease of trade and alleviate the difficulties that European businesses face when exporting to the US, closer cooperation is essential. There may be an advantage in the smaller scale of the EU technology industry. The EU can expect less political backlash and less pressure when implementing strong technology regulations and policies. In fact, US officials who want to see more effective controls on the Big Tech firms may also have incentive to cooperate with the EU to circumvent the crawling speed of federal progress.
Is the Brussels effect enough?
The EU could just continue on its own path, hoping that regulating its own market will be enough and the Brussels effect will influence the US anyway. Yet, the Brussels effect is not a guaranteed phenomenon. Presuming that the success of GDPR in spreading beyond its borders will be replicated by other EU digital policies is a risky bet. The US is home to the wealthiest, most influential technology companies. If the EU wants to create a future where technology delivers innovation while protecting the fundamental rights of EU citizens, influence over US policy is incredibly valuable.
The TTC has proven to be an interesting forum. The creation of a strategic standardisation information mechanism by the working group on technology standards has the potential to set global standards by aligning the standards of these two major economic powers. Still, it cannot be the main avenue for dialogue, as the structure of the TTC mainly promotes cooperation with the US via the Executive Office of the President. While the presidential office has many powers, it is still limited in its ability to craft and shape digital policy. The TTC could be expanded to include more political dialogue beyond the executive level, but this could water down the purpose of the TTC by overextending its workload. Overexpansion of the TTC could detract from the delivery of concrete proposals from current working groups.
Considering these limitations, EU institutions should broaden their ties by connecting with ambitious members in Congress and with different actors at the state level. Instead of burdening one singular council, the EU could look to existing forms of transatlantic cooperation to better collaborate on digital policy. This will improve the likelihood that EU standards will become the global norm.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Trade and Technology
Kelly is a legal practitioner with experience in international economic law, dispute resolution, banking and finance law and corporate commercial law.
He is also an avid researcher, having undertaken research and published widely on topics ranging from dispute settlement in the context of international trade, African economic integration, and economic recovery post the COVID-19 pandemic.
Previously, Kelly was an East African regional representative at the AfronomicsLaw Academic Forum, which is a platform dedicated to stimulating open and inclusive discourse on international economic law issues as they relate to Africa and the Global South.
Kelly has also participated in and spoken at conferences with thematic areas centred on emerging issues in his areas of interest. Notably, in 2021, he presented his research results at an international conference in Stellenbosch, South Africa titled ‘Prospects for Regional Integration in Africa – A Comparative Perspective’.
More recently in November 2022, Kelly joined a panel of multidisciplinary experts at an international conference organised by the Policy Center for the New South in Rabat, Morocco to discuss the role of regional integration in reigniting economic growth in African economies in the Post-COVID era, with an emphasis on the SADC region.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Security and Defence
Sofia is a Ukrainian-Dutch-American completing a Master’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy at Leiden University in The Hague, Netherlands. Before joining the Youth Policy Dialogues, she was an Assistant Analyst at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. She also volunteers with Students for Ukraine.
I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs from the University of Turin (Italy), and a Master’s Degree in International Energy from the Paris School of International Affairs (PSIA) at Sciences Po. Currently, I am working within the consulting division of a major French utility company, focusing on energy transition-related projects (e.g. multi-country on-site solar projects, clean electricity procurement, etc.). Before that, I spent a year at a policy/regulatory consultancy, covering EU energy and climate policy. I am particularly interested in broadening my understanding of clean technologies (including their impact on raw materials demand), power and gas markets, and energy infrastructures.
As a Chemical Engineer and Environmental Policy graduate from Sciences Po Paris, I have an in-depth experience of the hands-on work in labs and project management in industry. As I envisioned to work in interests’ representation at EU institution’s level, I took the opportunity to enrich my EU understanding and policy-making skills at the College of Europe this year (2022-2023). As I’m always seeking to stay in real-life situations, I looked forward to joining this Youth Thinkers Policy Dialogues to carry-out some group practice policy-making on today’s critical Energy and Climate subjects.
Muhammad “Moby” Maulana is an aspiring researcher and a sophomore student at ODTÜ, Ankara, majoring in international relations with a focus on environmental politics. Most recently, he was a researcher for the G20 Youth Summit 2022, handling the topics of youth employment and environmental sustainability, where he designed several policy papers particularly addressing the issue of social safety nets, social entrepreneurship, and circular economy. He has also worked for several environmental consultancies where he was involved in the sustainable land use, forestry, and agricultural industries in the Southeast Asian region. Aside from his current research focus, Moby is especially interested in expanding his knowledge and expertise on energy policy through the international lens, including global partnership, energy market, and just transition.
Originally, I completed a three-year banking apprenticeship in Switzerland and a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs at the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland). In addition to my employment in banking, coaching and at a newspaper, I have gained a variety of volunteer experiences. These range from working for more educational justice and equal opportunities, to promoting mutual cultural understanding between Switzerland and Colombia, to founding a school project with the organisation World Vision.
Currently, I am specializing in Environmental Policy and Sustainability as well as Development Management as part of a double master’s degree offered by Sciences Po Paris (France) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (England). As a Young Thinker at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), I am particularly interested in approaching climate change issues from a perspective that takes into account different life situations and realities. In this respect, one of my personal goals is to shape gender-responsive policies.
Zofia, is a final year Social Policy student at the University of Bristol, UK. She is particularly interested in issues concerning our society, such as climate change, democracy and employment, and focuses on EU and Polish politics. Previously, she has interned in the Senate of the Republic of Poland and EU Parliament. Moreover, she was the European Union Youth G20 Delegate in 2022, where she worked in the Youth Employment track and participated in a youth policy dialogue with Commissioner Nicolas Schmit, at both of which she focused on the topic of Youth Employment. She has organised the 2022 edition of the Congress of Polish Student Societies in the UK, where she headed the logistics and events team.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Security and Defence
Lucrezia holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from IE School of Politics, Economics & Global Affairs. Her past experiences at Real Instituto Elcano and Finabel (European Army Interoperability Centre) have led to her interest in being a trainee within the Secretariat of the European Parliament at the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) in March 2023.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Security and Defence
Laura is currently Program Assistant at the Berlin Office of the US German Marshall Fund. She landed in Germany after spending a term in New York interning for the UN and a year in Brussels, where she worked at NATO, first as an intern at the Defence Investment Division and then in the Private Office of the Secretary-General. She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from Universidade Católica Portuguesa in Lisbon.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Security and Defence
Cédric holds a Master of Laws from the University of Antwerp and a Master of Arts in EU International Relations and Diplomacy from the College of Europe. Currently, he coordinates EU energy policy as an Attaché in European Affairs at the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Security and Defence
Eter is a program coordinator at the Georgian Foundation for Strategic and International Studies. She holds a post-graduate degree in International Relations and European Integration from the Estonian School of Diplomacy. Her area of interest includes the EaP region, Central and Eastern European Region (CEE) and China. Covering these topics, Eter has been a speaker in numerous young professionals seminars in Brussels, Budapest, Luxembourg, Lisbon etc.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Security and Defence
Dominik is a graduate student in Conflict Studies at the London School of Economics and Political Science following practical experience as a soldier and internships at the George C. Marshall Center and NATO. He is particularly interested in the intersection between security, defence, and climate change.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Trade and Technology
Sonia is interested in transatlantic decarbonisation, climate clubs theory and the reconciliation of green industrial policy priorities with global trade rules.
Currently working at Clean Air Task Force, she has also completed a traineeship at the trade section of the EU Delegation in the United States. Prior to this, she worked at the American Chamber of Commerce in the EU, and interned at the UN Environment Programme, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, and the Bulgarian Ministry of the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Sonia holds an Advanced Master’s degree in EU Politics and Policy from KU Leuven and a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies from Sofia University.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Democracy and Institutions
Núbia Rodrigues, 24, Brazil. BA in Psychology, specialized in Global Health & Health Diplomacy, and in Epistemologies of the South. I’m working as a Project and Research Officer for the Data Feminism Program at Data-Pop Alliance. My research interests are focused on migration and gender studies. I’m also passionate about the intersection of art and activism – and puzzles.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Democracy and Institutions
My name is Chiara Frittitta, I am a 24-year-old Italian whose pronouns are she/her. Prior to being selected as one of the 30 young thinkers, I majored in International Studies with a regional specialisation in Europe. I have diverse research experiences, including field research in Rabat on young Moroccan women’s political participation.
I hold a master’s degree in Gendering Practices at Gothenburg University, where I gathered skills to critically analyse and draft gender equality policy plans and strategies with a dissertation on recommendations for making non-binary gender equality policy. I am passionate about gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and the role played by policymaking in creating safer space for all.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Democracy and Institutions
Born and raised in Palestine, Iman Jibreen is a compassionate, community focused individual who is interested in humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and research. Through the latter, Iman aims to shed light over the socio-economic inclusion of vulnerable segments in the society.
She has received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Birzeit University in Palestine and her MSc in Sustainable development from a consortium of three European Universities (Padova, Leuven and Paris 1). She currently works as an Economic Development Officer at EducAid Onlus in Palestine where she is responsible for the implementation of all the economic empowerment activities of persons with disabilities in Palestine.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Democracy and Institutions
I am a final year masters student, originally from Scotland but currently living in Bosnia & Herzegovina. My main area of focus is the Western Balkans & EU integration. I am incredibly excited to get underway with the work of the YPD due to the opportunity it provides for young thinkers to come together and discuss some of the most pressing issues for the EU going forward.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Democracy and Institutions
After studying law at Leipzig University and Harvard University with internships – among others – at the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung´s Rule of Law Program Sub-Saharan Africa in Nairobi and the Trade Policy Division of the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, I joined the Chair for European and Public International Law at Leipzig University as a research fellow focusing on European law, European citizenship and international human rights. I have also launched “Transatlantic Debates”, a debating project where pupils think about their priorities for a future transatlantic agenda
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Democracy and Institutions
Beatriz is a young professional from Portugal, with a background in International Relations, and a specific interest in European Union politics. Fluent in Portuguese and English, and having advanced knowledge of French, Beatriz is always looking forward to learning new languages and embracing new adventures.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Trade and Technology
Simon van Hoeve is a Policy Coordinator for European Government Affairs at Microsoft, based in Brussels, Belgium. In this role, he provides horizontal support functions to the Vice-President for European Government Affairs and the Director for Strategy, contributing to policy related workstreams and ensuring synergies between advocacy and policy campaigns.
Prior to joining Microsoft, Simon spent a year as an Assistant Analyst, Cyber at Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. Simon completed his Master’s degree in International Relations at Leiden Universiteit in the Netherlands (2021) and completed his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Political Science at the University of Waterloo in Canada (2020).
In his spare time, Simon runs the BRUBBLE podcast, where he talks to young professionals in and around the Brussels Bubble on a variety of policy and topical issues.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Trade and Technology
A native of Canada, Sher is a currently a Master of Education candidate with a specialization in Comparative, International and Development Education at the University of Toronto. More recently, she was a Junior Professional Consultant for UNICEF HQ supporting primary education policy and system strengthening across 15 countries. In 2022, she was selected to be a Graduate Fellow of the United Nations Office at Geneva and a European Forum Alpbach Scholar. Sher also graduated with a B.A. (Honors) in Music Education with a minor in the French Language from the University of Toronto, where her undergraduate thesis was awarded both The Thomas Clarkson Gold Medal and the Research Showcase Award.
Youth Policy Dialogue:
Trade and Technology
Paula studies at the College of Europe a Master in International Relations and European Diplomacy. Previously, she graduated from IE University after studying a dual degree in International Relations and Business Administration. She has worked in consulting, public advocacy and research in different organizations. Her research interests include the US-EU-China relation, monetary policy and the impact of technology on society.
My name is Ciara Connolly, I am half-Irish, half-German. I studied International Relations at King’s College London, where I also pursued several climate-related activities, such as being in the KCL Climate Action Society and taking part in French-speaking climate-related debate competitions. I graduated last summer and completed an internship at adelphi, a German government-funded think tank specializing in climate policy. I have now moved to Berlin, where I work as an Editor at the German news agency, dpa. I would love to work in European or German climate policy and can’t wait to get a chance to put this into action with CEPS. In my free time I like to go to gigs, do creative things with my friends and am currently learning Spanish as my dream is to visit Costa Rica someday!