Vice President JD Vance delivered a pointed critique of European AI regulation during his first overseas speech at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris, warning that excessive regulatory frameworks could “kill” the development of one of the most transformative technologies in generations.
Speaking before an audience that included French President Emmanuel Macron and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Vance characterized Europe’s approach to AI governance as “self-conscious” and “risk averse.” He argued that overregulation would paralyze AI’s potential benefits across multiple sectors, including economic innovation, job creation, national security, healthcare, and free expression.
The Trump administration’s AI strategy centers on building domestic AI systems with chips designed and manufactured in the United States. Vance emphasized that for these advances to spread internationally, other countries must reduce their regulatory burdens. He called on European allies to “look to this new frontier with optimism rather than trepidation” and establish international regulatory regimes that foster rather than strangle AI technology creation.
Vance issued a stern warning against new regulations targeting US tech companies with international operations: “The Trump administration is troubled by reports that some foreign governments are considering tightening the screws on US tech companies with international footprints. America cannot and will not accept that, and we think it’s a terrible mistake, not just for the United States of America, but for your own countries.”
This speech marks a sharp departure from Biden administration policies, which had attempted to establish a regulatory framework more aligned with Europe’s comprehensive approach. Shortly after taking office, President Trump announced the $500 billion Stargate Project to develop US AI infrastructure and eliminated a Biden executive order on AI regulation.
The EU is currently working to introduce a “code of practice” for advanced AI models to address concerns about potential misuse. Major US tech firms, including Google, have criticized this regulatory approach. The transatlantic tension reflects a fundamental divide: critics argue comprehensive regulations are necessary to address job displacement and existential risks, while proponents contend that AI could supercharge economies and help Western nations compete with China’s growing technological capabilities.
Key Quotes
It would mean paralyzing one of the most promising technologies we have seen in generations
Vice President Vance used this stark warning to describe the potential impact of overregulation on AI development, emphasizing the technology’s transformative potential across economic innovation, healthcare, national security, and other critical sectors.
We believe that excessive regulation of the AI sector could kill a transformative industry just as it’s taking off, and we’ll make every effort to encourage pro-growth AI policies
This statement encapsulates the Trump administration’s core AI policy philosophy, prioritizing rapid innovation and economic growth over comprehensive regulatory frameworks, marking a clear break from the previous administration’s approach.
To create that kind of trust, we need international regulatory regimes that foster the creation of AI technology rather than strangle it, and we need our European friends, in particular, to look to this new frontier with optimism rather than trepidation
Vance directly challenged European leaders in their own territory, calling for a fundamental shift in how the EU approaches AI governance and framing regulation as an impediment to technological progress rather than a necessary safeguard.
America cannot and will not accept that, and we think it’s a terrible mistake, not just for the United States of America, but for your own countries
In his most confrontational moment, Vance warned European governments against tightening regulations on US tech companies, suggesting such moves would harm both American interests and Europe’s own technological competitiveness.
Our Take
Vance’s Paris speech signals a new era of AI policy confrontation that could reshape the global technology landscape. The fundamental tension is between two competing visions: Europe’s precautionary principle prioritizing safety and ethical considerations versus America’s innovation-first approach emphasizing speed and market dominance.
What’s particularly striking is the diplomatic boldness of criticizing EU policy on European soil during a first overseas trip. This suggests the Trump administration views AI supremacy as a zero-sum game where regulatory divergence threatens American competitiveness.
However, Vance’s framing oversimplifies complex tradeoffs. Regulation isn’t inherently anti-innovation—thoughtful frameworks can build public trust, prevent harmful applications, and create sustainable markets. The real question is whether the US can maintain its AI leadership without addressing legitimate concerns about job displacement, bias, privacy, and security that European regulations attempt to tackle. The coming years will test whether deregulation accelerates innovation or creates new risks that ultimately undermine public confidence in AI technology.
Why This Matters
This speech represents a defining moment in the global AI governance debate, setting the stage for potential regulatory conflicts between the United States and Europe. The stark contrast between the Trump administration’s deregulatory approach and Europe’s precautionary framework could fragment the global AI ecosystem, forcing companies to navigate divergent regulatory landscapes.
The implications extend beyond policy disagreements. If the US pursues aggressive deregulation while Europe maintains strict oversight, we could see a bifurcation of AI development—with innovation potentially concentrating in less regulated markets while European companies face competitive disadvantages. This could reshape the global AI industry’s geography and power dynamics.
The timing is critical as AI technology reaches an inflection point with generative AI and large language models transforming industries. How governments balance innovation with safety, competition with cooperation, and economic growth with ethical concerns will determine whether AI delivers on its promise or creates new risks. Vance’s confrontational approach signals that AI regulation will become a major point of friction in US-European relations, potentially affecting trade, technology transfer, and diplomatic cooperation.
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Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/vance-swipes-at-eu-in-ai-summit-speech-2025-2