A diplomatic cable obtained by Reuters reveals that the Trump administration has directed American diplomats to actively lobby against national data sovereignty laws that the administration believes could threaten global data flows. The cable, dated February 18 and approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, emphasizes concerns that such laws could increase costs, elevate cybersecurity risks, hinder artificial intelligence and cloud services, and infringe on civil rights while facilitating censorship.

The cable outlines the administration's strategy of promoting a more assertive international data policy aimed at countering the perceived threat posed by the European Union's Digital Markets Act and Digital Services Act. These regulations are seen by the Trump administration as potential barriers to American tech companies, which could have broader implications for transatlantic relations and international tech standards.

The call to resist what the administration terms "unnecessarily heavy regulation," including data localization requirements, underscores the ongoing tensions between U.S. and EU approaches to digital governance. As these developments unfold, they could significantly influence the global digital landscape, raising questions about data privacy, security, and international cooperation in the tech sector.