I'm not sure how many more ways VDL et al can find to sell us out to the US - every single time and neither to our benefit nor in good faith. Even strategically and politically this seems like an exceptionally bad move.
It's absurd how little control we have over our own data even while we have the legislation in place.
The European Comission is not the only one to blame, since it has limited power on its own. The European Council (of which VDL is also a member) is in large part responsible for delegating the Comission to fulfill various duties such as negotiations with the US, as well as instructing the Comission on the expected results.
That said, any time the European Comission is assigned to any task or receives any power from the Council - it overwhelmingly acts in the best interests of the US, not the EU.
The main problem we're dealing with is that many EU states and institutions are filled with American assets. The system seems fine on paper, but everything goes to shit as soon as several heads of state/government are aligned with our enemies.
This is true, but VDL has pulled an enormous amount of power to herself (not to the Commission - to herself) and when it comes to these matters (the US trade 'deal' is another good example) she has a lot of influence even if she operates under a Council mandate. I am not sure how big her influence is in the Council, she's a member but without voting rights.
Most of our national leaders are letting us down again and again, indeed.
I strongly believe in the ideas and ideals in the EU, I just wish our leaders did as well.