TRANSATLANTIC DIGITAL CONFLICT AND THE EU-US TRADE AND TECHNOLOGY COUNCIL: THE BRUSSELS EFFECT ON PRIVACY, TRADE RELATIONS, AND SECURITY

Abstract

For decades, the European Union and the United States’ different understandings of digital policy have created a chasm between the two political entities that is poised to harm trade and security on both sides of the Atlantic. After decades of digital conflict, the EU chose to create a space to engage in diplomatic conversations with the United States by creating the EU-US Trade and Technology Council. In order to understand why the EU decided to launch the TTC, this paper assesses the reasons for which the EU selected to pursue this style of nonlegislative lawmaking by investigating major events and changes in EU capabilities that impacted its ability to influence third countries. Through the lens of privacy, trade, and security, this paper uses the Brussels effect to explore the issues engendered by a lack of consensus in the digital space between these two powerful allies and vis-à-vis foreign adversaries.