Trump threatens EU with new tariffs after Google fine

Former President Donald Trump has issued a stern warning to the European Union, threatening significant tariffs and a formal trade investigation in response to the bloc's recent antitrust sanctions against Google. Trump declared on his Truth Social platform that the EU would "pay a very high price for this illegal and very unethical conduct, which I have constantly warned them about."

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The bloc will pay a very high price for this illegal and very unethical conduct, which I have constantly warned them about.

Trump asserted that the United States would impose a "considerable tariff... as soon as possible." He also indicated an immediate launch of an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows Washington to probe discriminatory foreign practices and respond with tariffs. Trump characterized the EU's actions as "stealing" from American companies.

This threat comes after the European Union levied fines totaling 890 million euros ($1.015 billion) against Google. The sanctions, imposed under the European Digital Markets Act (DMA), target monopolistic practices by major tech companies and represent the largest penalty Brussels has issued under the regulation.

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will impose a considerable tariff... as soon as possible.

The U.S. Trade Representative's office acknowledged the potential impact, with Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warning that the fine poses "a real risk to maintaining transatlantic (trade) stability." The situation highlights ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and the EU, particularly concerning regulatory actions against American technology firms.

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would immediately initiate an investigation under Section 301 of what he called the EU's practice of 'stealing' from American companies.