2 min

Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union’s Chief Executive, said that Europe and the US should join forces in the fight against climate change and together, agree on and enforce a new framework for the digital market.

The aim is to limit the powers held by big tech companies.

The president of the European Commission said in a speech at the virtually-held Munich Security Conference on Friday, that she is sure that a shared commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 could help with climate.

More importantly, the two blocs could create the new digital economy rulebook.

A global rulebook

She said that the rulebook could be made valid worldwide. The rules will be based on human values and rights, pluralism, privacy protection, and inclusion. The EU has made pledges about its climate, intending to become a net-zero economy by 2050.

Von der Leyen said that the US is the EU’s partner in matters of global leadership.

She spoke about the January 6 Storming of the Capitol and called it a turning point for many, in discussing the way social media has impacted democracies around the world.

A rocky road ahead

Von der Leyen also said that imposing democratic limits on the unchecked power of big tech companies will not stop political violence by itself. However, it is a step in the right direction.

She was referring to the draft set of rules unveiled at the end of last year, designed to control data and online platforms used by thousands of companies and millions of EU residents.

The rules could help or even inflame tension with Washington, where many are not happy about Brussels trying to tax U.S. tech firms more.