I'll be spending a lot more time looking at US-EU digital policymaking next year (more on that soon), and this take from @FranBurwell on what Biden administration should do to work w/ Europe on digital matters is worth a read https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/A-Transatlantic-Digital-Agenda-for-the-Biden-Administration.pdf

The report highlights places where US can work with EU (cybersecurity, 5G, possible content/competition), and where it'll prove difficult (digital taxes & content). It's pretty much in line w/ my thinking https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-to-us-president-elect-joe-biden-lets-be-tech-allies/

The bigger questions I'm asking myself is: what actually is Biden's view on digital, and will it even make it to the table w/ Covid, economic crisis & political polarization sucking up all the policymaking area arguably for next 4 years

One thing has changed: cybersecurity. It's hard to see that not taking center stage after SolarWinds hack -- and is likely to be a place where US will want to work with Europe for joined-up response. That, and AI rulemaking, seem like early transatlantic "wins"

But w/ that in mind, we may already be entering a transatlantic trade war in early January if/when US imposes billions of dollars of tariffs on French goods b/c of Paris' digital services tax. That is not going to change no matter who's in the White House

Then you've got Europe's new digital rulebook (more here https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-digital-markets-act-services-act-tech-competition-rules-margrethe-vestager-thierry-breton/) that focuses squarely on Silicon Valley. The lobbying against these proposals as "anti-American" has already begun

I also question if DC's view on privacy & digital competition will change markedly, even w/ federal privacy legislation again on the cards & DoJ/FTC #antitrust lawsuits already filed (yes, I know, lawsuits don't equate to legislation)

Like it or not, those two issues are seen in very different terms on both sides of the Atlantic -- on competition, it's a question of who's hurt by the antitrust behavior, and on privacy, it's a question of which fundamental right gets priority

Call me a cynic, but will a Biden administration change all of that, despite the inevitable goodwill on both sides in the post-Trump era? Will the White House make this a priority (I doubt it)?

Very short-term dilemma: getting US-EU data transfers back on safe legal ground -- something that Europe says must involve changes to US national security legislation & something that is a non-starter for many on the Hill. "That doesn't win anyone votes," is how it was put to me

So things to look out for:
1) Greater transatlantic policy discussions on things like AI, cybersecurity & 5G infrastructure as early-stage "wins."
2) Recognition of importance of data/privacy & need to find common ground btwn 2 very different perspectives on both

3) Figure out a way to move beyond the "Europe hates US tech" discussion to focus on fundamental rights question that underpins EU response.
4) Use COVID-19 crisis to reframe US-EU discussion on digital/tech for economic recovery

5) Work more collaboratively on disinformation rules (caveated within First Amendment) to create "coalition of the willing" group of nations from which a global code of conduct can emerge.
6) Get a OECD digital tax agreement done by the summer (cue: laughter)

7) Recognize the need to revamp digital competition rules, w/ proviso that US legal system works very differently to that of Europe.
8) Make digital an actual priority. Don't just talk about it, do something (I'm looking at you, Washington)

Again, will be spending more time on these topics next year. But before that, let's just get through 2020.

Rant over. Thoughts appreciated.