The European Union on Tuesday defended its right to regulate economic activities, including measures affecting major technology companies, after US President Donald Trump threatened new tariffs and export restrictions against countries targeting American tech giants, according to Xinhua.

EU spokesperson Paula Pinho said such regulations are a sovereign right of the bloc and its member states, stressing they are grounded in democratic values. She clarified that the issue was not part of the EU’s recent framework agreement with Washington.

Tech spokesman Thomas Regnier added that the EU’s digital rules, including taxes and market regulations, apply broadly and are not aimed specifically at US firms, Xinhua reported.