U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated transatlantic trade tensions, vowing to impose additional tariffs on the European Union (EU) following the bloc’s decision to fine Google €2.95 billion ($3.47 billion) for antitrust violations. The move highlights growing friction between Washington and Brussels over digital regulation and trade practices.
EU’s Antitrust Crackdown
The European Commission announced the penalty on Friday, citing Google’s abuse of its dominant position in the online advertising market. This marks the fourth multibillion-euro antitrust fine against the tech giant since 2017. “Google abused its market power to favor its own ad exchange services, undermining competition,” stated EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera.
Trump’s Retaliatory Stance
Within hours of the EU’s decision, Trump accused Brussels of unfairly targeting American companies. On his Truth Social platform, he wrote: “Europe today ‘hit’ another great American company … Very unfair, and the American taxpayer will not stand for it!” He pledged to initiate a Section 301 investigation to counter what he called “discriminatory” actions.
Broader Trade Implications
The dispute underscores lingering trade tensions between the U.S. and EU, which have clashed repeatedly over digital policies, subsidies, and tariffs. Analysts warn retaliatory measures could disrupt supply chains and impact global markets. Google, meanwhile, has stated it will appeal the fine, calling the EU’s decision “flawed.”
