Trump threatens EU with trade measures over multibillion-dollar fines against Google and Apple

U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to launch a trade investigation against the European Union in response to fines levied on American tech giants.

He posted the warning on Truth Social just hours after the European Commission fined Google €2.95 billion ($3.45 billion) for antitrust violations in its advertising business.

Trump said the U.S. “will NOT allow these discriminatory actions to stand. We cannot let this happen to brilliant and unprecedented American ingenuity” <...> adding that Apple “should get their money back.” He added that if the EU continues this practice, Washington will invoke Section 301 proceedings to overturn the “unfair penalties.” Trump also noted that Google has already paid about $13 billion in what he called false claims and accusations.

The president also accused the EU of pressuring Apple with fines and tax demands worth billions. He said the company was forced to pay $17 billion, including €14.25 billion in back taxes following an Irish court ruling. In his words, Apple “should get their money back!”

Trump’s message to Brussels was clear: the U.S. is prepared to use trade measures if the EU continues to impose penalties on American corporations.