Press release – US tariffs: European culture must not be used as a bargaining chip

The United States has just announced a 30% increase in customs duties on European products from 1 August, unless a trade agreement is signed by then.

In response to this decision, the European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (ECCD) strongly call on the European institutions and Member States to reject any concessions that would undermine the achievements of the digital and cultural regulations adopted in recent years.

The European Union has established an ambitious and balanced regulatory framework for the digital sector through the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Copyright Directive, the AVMS Directive and, more recently, the Artificial Intelligence Act. These non-discriminatory texts apply to all companies, regardless of their origin, in accordance with the European values of transparency, sovereignty and diversity.

They constitute an essential foundation for:

•  ensuring respect for copyright,

• strengthening cultural diversity,

• promoting the dissemination of European works,

•  supporting the financing of creation,

•  and preventing distortions of competition in favour of American platforms.

The EECD reiterates that cultural diversity is a founding principle of the European Union, enshrined in Article 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and in the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the diversity of cultural expressions, which the EU has ratified.

Culture is not negotiable. Any challenge to these regulations would undermine our artists and creators, cultural and creative professionals, and the cultural rights of our European citizens.

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