Trump threatens EU with tariffs over Google antitrust fine

The European Union has imposed a record €890 million fine on Google for antitrust violations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), prompting President Donald Trump to threaten the bloc with immediate tariffs and a Section 301 investigation.

The EU fine

The European Commission fined Google €890 million ($1.015 billion) for violating the DMA, marking the highest penalty ever applied under that legislation. The fine targets Google's anti-competitive practices in digital markets Source: elnacionalve. The Commission stated the sanction aims to curb abuses by tech giants Source: elmundoes.

Trump's response

President Trump reacted angrily on his Truth Social platform, calling the EU's action "illegal and very unethical" and warning the bloc would "pay a very high price" Source: elmundoes. He announced plans to impose a "considerable tariff" as soon as possible and to launch an immediate Section 301 investigation into what he termed the EU's practice of "robbing" U.S. companies Source: elnacionalve. Under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, Washington can investigate foreign discriminatory practices and retaliate with tariffs.

What's next

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned that the fine poses "a real risk to the maintenance of transatlantic (trade) stability" Source: elmundoes. The dispute threatens to escalate trade tensions between the U.S. and EU, potentially leading to a new round of tariffs.