- United States President Donald Trump has threatened the European Union with substantial tariffs and an immediate Section 301 investigation following Brussels’ imposition of an €890 million ($1 billion) antitrust fine on Google.
- The European Commission fined the tech giant under its landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA), citing self-preferencing in search results and unfair restrictions on the Google Play store.
- The feud threatens to disrupt transatlantic trade stability, with Trump declaring that the United States will no longer serve as a “piggybank” for European regulators targeting American corporations.
United States President Donald Trump has launched a fierce critique against the European Union, threatening swift trade retaliations and substantial tariffs after European regulators hit tech giant Google with an €890 million ($1 billion) antitrust fine.
Eko Hot Blog reports that taking to his Truth Social platform on Friday, President Trump denounced the regulatory penalty as illegal and unethical, accusing Brussels of systematically targeting and exploiting prominent American tech companies under the guise of digital market regulations.
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Trump announced that Washington will move quickly to initiate a Section 301 investigation through the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). Under the Trade Act of 1974, Section 301 grants the US executive branch broad authority to investigate foreign trade policies deemed discriminatory or burdensome to American commerce and respond with punitive tariffs.
The sharp escalation follows Thursday’s landmark ruling by the European Commission, which marked the first financial penalty issued against Google under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The total penalty comprises two separate enforcement decisions: a €460 million fine for self-preferencing Google’s own shopping, hotel, transport, and sports services within search engine results, and a €430 million fine for enforcing anti-steering restrictions that prevented app developers from directing users to cheaper alternatives outside the Google Play store.
Prior to Trump’s public statement, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expressed deep concern over the enforcement action, warning that Brussels’ aggressive application of the DMA undermines constructive trade dialogue and risks destabilizing broader economic ties between Washington and the European bloc.
European Union officials have consistently defended the Digital Markets Act, maintaining that the legislation applies neutrally to all dominant digital gatekeepers operating within the European single market, regardless of corporate nationality.
However, the brewing standoff poses a direct threat to existing transatlantic trade agreements, creating renewed friction over digital governance, corporate taxation, and international trade balance.
