The Trump administration has directed U.S. diplomats in Europe to launch a lobbying campaign opposing the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA), citing concerns that the law imposes excessive restrictions on free speech and creates burdensome costs for U.S. tech companies.
An internal State Department cable dated August 4, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructs American diplomats to actively engage with EU governments and digital regulators to build support for repealing or amending the DSA and related legislation. The memo labels parts of the law as “undue” limits on expression under the guise of combating hate speech and misinformation.
The DSA is designed to hold tech companies accountable for illegal content online, such as hate speech and child sexual abuse material. However, the Trump administration views it as an infringement on free speech, especially political and religious expression, and has criticized the EU for what it sees as censorship targeting conservative voices.
Rubio’s directive includes specific talking points urging diplomats to push for narrowing the definition of illegal content, scaling back fines for non-compliance, and reducing reliance on “trusted flaggers” — entities authorized to report illegal content to platforms. It also calls for investigations into censorship cases affecting U.S. citizens and companies, including arrests and online suspensions linked to the DSA.
The European Commission rejects censorship accusations, emphasizing freedom of expression as a fundamental right. It maintains that the DSA aims to keep digital markets open and is not intended to target U.S. companies. EU officials also assert that the DSA and related tech laws are not part of ongoing trade negotiations with the U.S.
The lobbying effort marks an escalation of U.S. efforts to assert its free speech traditions internationally and intensifies tensions with European allies, with previous criticisms from officials such as Vice President JD Vance accusing Europe of suppressing certain political groups.
U.S. tech giants, including Meta and Tesla, have voiced concerns over the DSA. Meanwhile, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission chairman has criticized the law’s compatibility with American free speech norms. Rubio has even threatened visa bans on foreign officials involved in “censoring” Americans.
