Trump vows to investigate EU over tech fines, threatens tariffs
Donald Trump says the U.S. will launch an investigation into the European Union and threatened a fresh tariff over fines handed to some of the biggest American tech companies.
The announcement follows the European Commission’s recent fine of €890 million ($1 bn) to Google for allegedly stifling competition. Trump has taken issue with European regulators on multiple occasions.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, the president warned that the EU would pay a “very big price” for its treatment of Google, Apple, Meta and Amazon – all of which have faced EU investigations and fines. He declared, “The United States of America is not a “PIGGYBANK” for Europe, nor will we allow it to be!”
Trump also called for the reversal of any fines, said he would initiate a 301 trade investigation, and hinted at a potential substantial tariff. He added that the U.S. would move to investigate European regulators’ alleged “robbing” of American companies and the taxpayer.
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 empowers the U.S. Trade Representative to probe unfair trade practices. Since last year the Trump administration has launched several such investigations.
The tariff threat comes just a day after Trump announced new tariffs of 10‑12.5 % on 60 trading partners, including the EU, UK and China. Last month he had also warned of a 100 % import tariff on any European nation that imposed a digital services tax on U.S. tech giants.
Major tech firms – Google, Meta, Apple and Amazon – have donated millions to Trump’s campaign and presidency. A spokesperson for Google, José Castañeda, said the company had “worked hard to comply” with the EU’s Digital Markets Act but expressed concerns over recent directives.
Trump highlighted alleged EU fines of $15 bn for Apple, $3 bn for Meta and $2.5 bn for Amazon, although he did not specify the sources. Representatives from the companies, as well as the European Commission, have been contacted for comment.
Earlier in 2024, Trump reportedly received a call from Apple’s CEO Tim Cook to complain about the company’s fines. Meanwhile, Meta has faced multiple EU investigations for privacy and competition violations, and is now tackling alleged addictive features of its apps.
Amazon reportedly avoided major fines after reaching a settlement with EU regulators in 2022, though a Luxembourg fine of more than $800 million was overturned last year. The U.S. response to these European regulatory actions remains a flashpoint in U.S.–EU trade relations.
