MEP Emma Rafowicz Calls for European Stand Against US Cultural Nationalism, Citing “Trade and Cultural War”

Strasbourg/Cannes – A prominent Member of the European Parliament has issued a strong call for Europe to actively counter what she describes as American “cultural nationalism,” asserting that it constitutes a “veritable trade and cultural war” emanating from the Trump administration.

Emma Rafowicz, a French MEP who serves as vice-chair of the European Parliament’s influential Committee on Culture and Education and is a member of the centre-left S&D Group, articulated her concerns during a period of heightened tension regarding transatlantic cultural policy.

Characterising the US Stance

Speaking forcefully on the matter, Ms. Rafowicz characterised the stance adopted by the American administration under President Trump as a move towards “cultural nationalism.” She contended that this approach fundamentally clashes with the universalist message that has been traditionally associated with the American cultural model.

Detailing specific instances, Ms. Rafowicz highlighted that the American president reportedly views films produced outside the United States as nothing more than “propaganda.” This perspective, she suggested, underscores a protectionist and nationalistic turn in US cultural policy that Europe cannot afford to ignore.

Action in Cannes

The MEP’s comments come as she prepared for key engagements at the prestigious Cannes film festival. While in Cannes, Ms. Rafowicz was scheduled to host a significant press conference. This event brought together various European and national independent producer organisations.

The purpose of the press conference was multifaceted: to formally launch a new initiative titled the Charter for Independent Production and to engage in crucial discussions about the vital role of the film and television sector. These discussions centred on how the industry supports core democratic values, fosters creativity, and promotes cultural diversity across Europe.

Advocating for European Countermeasures

Central to Ms. Rafowicz’s position is her strong advocacy for proactive measures from the European Union. She is specifically urging the European Commission to take decisive action to counteract American cultural nationalism and, critically, to protect what is known as the European cultural exception.

To achieve this, she is proposing concrete steps. These include the implementation of new retaliatory measures against the Trump administration, measures that would be based on the principle of reciprocity. Furthermore, she calls for strengthening the protective clauses already enshrined within the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS).

The Policy Context

Ms. Rafowicz’s remarks are, in part, a direct reaction to recent actions by the US administration. She referenced President Trump’s memo issued on February 21, which specifically cited the AVMSD as one of several ‘unfair practices’ that were negatively affecting American businesses and interests abroad.

The MEP views the US administration’s decision to challenge the Audiovisual Media Services Directive as part of a broader pattern of economic pressure being exerted from Washington. She firmly asserted that the AVMS directive is a key and indispensable component of the European cultural exception. Its purpose, she explained, is to safeguard independent production within the European creative industries.

By challenging the AVMSD, Ms. Rafowicz suggests, the US administration is directly targeting a mechanism designed to ensure European cultural sovereignty and diversity in the face of dominant global players. Her call for Europe to take a firm stand underscores the perceived urgency of the situation for the future of European cultural production and identity.