President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to retaliate against the European Union after it hit Google with a $3.5 billion fine.
Trump excoriated the EU in a Truth Social post, accusing it of taking money that would “otherwise go to American Investments and Jobs.” He portrayed the move as just the latest slight against U.S. tech companies, threatening to levy tariffs or related penalties against the EU in response.
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“Very unfair, and the American Taxpayer will not stand for it!” Trump said of the $3.5 billion fine. “As I have said before, my Administration will NOT allow these discriminatory actions to stand.”
He also referenced a recent $17 billion fine to Apple, saying the company “should get their money back!”
“We cannot let this happen to brilliant and unprecedented American Ingenuity and, if it does, I will be forced to start a Section 301 proceeding to nullify the unfair penalties being charged to these Taxpaying American Companies,” Trump said, referring to Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, which authorizes the U.S. Trade Representative to levy tariffs against foreign goods to counter unfair trade practices.
In a follow-up Truth Social post, Trump noted that the $3.5 billion fine brings the total number of EU fines against Google to $16.5 billion.
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“How crazy is that? The European Union must stop this practice against American Companies, IMMEDIATELY!” Trump said.
The threats could complicate a trade agreement with the EU, which was agreed to in July. EU actions against U.S. companies were a major sticking point in the deal, similar to the United Kingdom.