Trump says U.S. will probe EU tech fines and consider tariffs

President Donald Trump said his administration will open a trade investigation into the European Union after the bloc imposed a €890 million fine on Google for alleged violations of the Digital Markets Act. Trump posted on his social-media platform that the United States would seek to overturn the penalty and could impose a "substantial" tariff on goods from the 27-member bloc.

The European Commission said the fine was based on Google's non-compliance with the new regulation aimed at curbing anti-competitive practices by large online platforms. Trump also referenced earlier EU fines against Apple, Meta and Amazon, claiming they were imposed without sufficient explanation.

"The United States of America is not a 'PIGGYBANK' for Europe, nor will we allow it to be!"

Trump said the United States would immediately launch an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which authorizes tariffs in response to practices deemed unfair to U.S. commerce. The administration has recently applied duties of 10 % to 12.5 % on imports from more than 80 countries, including the EU, over alleged forced-labor concerns.

A lawsuit filed by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of two small businesses challenges the recent tariffs, arguing that the government is misusing Section 301 to reinstate previously struck-down duties. Trump warned that the EU would face a "very big price" for what he described as illegal and unethical conduct, and said the penalties would be reversed and a tariff imposed as soon as possible.