Bitkom on US Tariffs and the Debate over a Digital Tax

Bitkom press release: Bitkom criticizes US tariffs as a threat to free trade and calls on the EU to take smart countermeasures and to expand digital sovereignty to reduce dependencies on US technologies.

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2025 December 22 . 1:22 AM

1 min read

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Bitkom on US Tariffs and the Debate over a Digital Tax

New U.S. tariffs are hitting German and European businesses hard, especially in the digital sector. Industry leaders warn that these measures threaten free trade and could slow down technological progress across the continent.

Germany exports a wide range of digital products to the U.S., including software, cybersecurity tools, and industrial manufacturing solutions. Communications technology and hardware components also form a key part of this trade. But the latest tariffs now risk disrupting these flows.

Bitkom, Germany’s digital industry association, has spoken out against the move. Its president, Dr. Ralf Wintergerst, described the tariffs as a direct threat to global trade freedom. He urged the EU to respond with targeted countermeasures to protect affected industries. Experts argue that a digital tax, if introduced, would place extra costs on local firms, government bodies, and consumers. This could stall digital transformation efforts at a time when Europe is pushing for greater independence in technology. The call for digital sovereignty has grown louder, with policymakers stressing the need to reduce reliance on foreign tech solutions. Without stronger domestic alternatives, businesses may struggle to adapt. The focus now is on building strategic autonomy to shield Europe’s economy from external pressures.

The U.S. tariffs create fresh challenges for Germany’s digital economy. Companies face higher costs, while policymakers weigh responses to safeguard trade and innovation. The push for European digital independence has become more urgent than ever.