President Donald Trump is threatening to hit the European Union with a trade investigation that could pave the way for new tariffs — a sharp response to the EU’s latest multibillion‑dollar fine against Google.
On Friday, EU regulators ordered Google to pay €2.95 billion ($3.45 billion) for abusing its dominance in the online ad tech market. It’s the fourth major penalty the tech giant has faced in the EU’s decade‑long crackdown on its business practices.
Trump blasted the decision in a Truth Social post, claiming the money “would otherwise go to American Investments and Jobs.” He called the fine “very unfair” and warned that “the American Taxpayer will not stand for it.”
The president said his administration may launch a Section 301 investigation into the EU — a move that could lead to retaliatory tariffs. Such a step would threaten the fragile trade framework the two sides agreed to over the summer, a deal that already faces skepticism from some European leaders.
A Long‑Running Fight Over Big Tech
The European Commission’s latest action stems from a complaint by the European Publishers Council. Regulators say Google has, since 2014, favored its own display advertising technology over rivals, hurting competition and publishers.
The Commission ordered Google to end these “self‑preferencing” practices and resolve conflicts of interest in its ad business. The company has 60 days to outline how it will comply. Officials also reiterated their view that Google may need to spin off parts of its services — but will first review the company’s proposed fixes.
“Google must now come forward with a serious remedy,” said EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera. “If it fails to do so, we will not hesitate to impose strong remedies.”
Google Pushes Back
Google called the ruling “wrong” and vowed to appeal. Lee‑Anne Mulholland, the company’s Vice President and Global Head of Regulatory Affairs, argued the decision would “hurt thousands of European businesses” and insisted there’s “nothing anticompetitive” about its ad services.
The $3.45 billion fine is smaller than some of Google’s past EU penalties — including a record €4.3 billion in 2018, €2.42 billion in 2017, and €1.49 billion in 2019.
Trump, meanwhile, pointed to what he called $13 billion in “false claims and charges” Google has already paid in the past, bringing the total to $16.5 billion. He demanded the EU “stop this practice against American Companies, IMMEDIATELY!”
