Silicon Valley CEOs cannot lay down the law, EU chief says

FILE PHOTO: European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen welcomes European Parliament President David Sassoli (not seen) ahead of a meeting at the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, January 14, 2021. Stephanie Lecocq/Pool via REUTERS

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Union's chief executive hailed on Wednesday as a new dawn Joe Biden's term as U.S. president but warned that the bloc would strive to regulate American technology companies, calling for global standards.

"After four long years, Europe has a friend in the White House," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, who welcomed outgoing President Donald Trump's ban on Twitter.

But she added: "This kind of decision must be taken in accordance with laws and rules ...not by an arbitrary decision in the power of Silicon Valley CEOs."

(Reporting by Robin Emmott)