US Briefings: The rise of the U.S. “Tech Right” and its implications for Europe

Front row to President Donald Trumps inauguration were the leading tech billionaires Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and Jeff Bezos. Their attendance was largely symbolic of a new alliance between right-wing illiberal leaders and powerful tech companies, now coined as the “Tech Right”. While Trump carves out tariff exemptions for these firms and champions deregulation in the tech sector – many of which played a key role in his election through generous donations – they, in turn, reciprocate by curbing online free speech and undermining trust in democratic institutions through algorithmically driven dis- and misinformation. 

This shift is a stark departure from the preciously shared values with Europe in digital policy. With this “America First” tech agenda, European leaders face critical choices over the enforcement of tech rules meant to reduce risks and promote transparency and fairness online. Under the immense pressure of this agenda, the future of Europe’s digital policy – and more broadly, the information ecosystem, democracy, trade and the transatlantic relationship – remains in limbo.

In this US Briefing webinar, the Heinrich Böll Foundation explores current developments in US Digital policy and dives into critical questions on the impact of US politics on European tech regulation: What are the common goals of the tech right in the US, and how do these overlap with the Trump administration's agenda? What does the US digital policy agenda mean for Europe and the rest of the world? Are there areas where the US and Europe may yet find common ground, such as the protection of children online? 

We are joined by Anna Lenhart, tech policy expert who previously served as a Senior Advisor at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and as a Technology Policy Advisor in the US House of Representatives.

With:

• Anna Lenhart, Policy Fellow at the Institute for Data Democracy and Politics at The George Washington University.

Moderation: Drew Mitnick, Digital Policy Program Director, Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC

After the interview, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions in a Q&A session.

Times: 9:00-10:00 am Eastern Daylight Time | 3:00-4:00 pm Central European Summer Time

Contact: 
Deitra Myers
Division European Union and North America
E myers@boell.de

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