EU a 'reliable partner' for digital cooperation amid turbulence, tech chief says

FILE PHOTO: Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy Henna Virkkunen holds a press conference after the European Commission College meeting in Brussels, Belgium January 15, 2025. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union will work with international partners to boost its competitiveness and promote a rules-based global digital order, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said on Thursday, a move aimed at offsetting turbulent ties with the United States.

The U.S. administration has in recent months criticised the European Commission for its swathe of new rules reining in the power of Big Tech and threatened to impose tariffs in retaliation for fines levied on U.S. tech giants.