Since Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, American lobbyists have not hesitated to show their disdain for Europe's cultural exception. Thanks in large part to France's leadership, culture in Europe is not considered just another commodity: Since 1994, it has enjoyed a special status in free trade agreements. This allows European Union member states to finance culture, impose broadcasting and production quotas for European content on television and require American video platforms like Netflix and Disney+ to finance the production of French feature films. In France, a tax on each movie ticket – including Hollywood films – also helps fund small independent films. For 30 years, these measures have consistently irritated the Americans.

On February 21, the Trump administration released a memorandum aimed at defending American businesses against foreign regulations deemed discriminatory, particularly in Europe. This document critiques the taxes on digital services and investment obligations aimed at promoting European content and cultural diversity, as outlined in the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD). It argues that they put American tech companies at a disadvantage compared to local actors.

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