The EU in the Mirror: American Views on Europe’s Digital Policy

This master’s thesis analyzes how the European Union is perceived by the United States in the context of digital policy and how the United States respond to it. The analysis covers the first Trump administration, the Biden administration, and the initial months of the second Trump presidency. Through a qualitative content analysis of official US government documents and media reports, the study finds that, throughout these administrations, the European Union is predominantly regarded as market-oriented rather than norm-driven. While both Trump administrations adopted a largely negative tone, portraying it as protectionist or obstructive, the Biden administration adopted a more constructive approach, emphasizing shared economic objectives and democratic principles. Clear patterns emerged in US responses: the first Trump administration was mainly reactive and rhetorical; the Biden administration focused on partnership; and the early second Trump administration intensified confrontation through sharper rhetoric and concrete countermeasures.