WASHINGTON (TechGenez) – President Donald Trump has sharply criticised the European Union after it imposed a record €890 million ($1 billion) fine on Google, saying Washington would launch a formal trade investigation into what he called the bloc’s “robbing” of American companies.
In a post on social media on Friday, Trump announced that his administration would immediately open a Section 301 investigation under the Trade Act of 1974. He wrote that the EU “will pay a very big price” for the “illegal and highly unethical conduct.”
The penalty marks the first major enforcement action under the EU’s Digital Markets Act, a law designed to limit the power of dominant technology platforms and promote competition.
Details of the EU Fine
The European Commission fined Google €460 million for self-preferencing in search results and another €430 million for restricting app developers from offering cheaper options outside the Google Play Store. The total amount is the largest ever imposed under the new digital regulation.
Google has said it strongly disagrees with the decision and may appeal. The company has already begun making changes to its search and Play Store policies in response to the order.
Trump’s Response and New Investigation
Trump described the fine as “robbing” American companies and warned that the United States would take strong action. The Section 301 probe allows the U.S. government to examine foreign trade practices that affect American firms and potentially impose countermeasures if violations are found.
The move comes at a sensitive time as the United States and the European Union continue to clash over technology regulation, data privacy and market access.
Industry and Expert Reactions
Analysts say the probe could escalate the long-running dispute between the two sides. Google has faced billions of euros in EU fines since 2017 for similar issues involving its dominant position in search and app stores.
Some European companies have welcomed the fine as a step toward fairer competition, while U.S. tech leaders have criticised it as protectionism that harms innovation and consumers.
Outlook
The Section 301 investigation will now be carried out by U.S. trade authorities, which could lead to further negotiations or tariffs on European goods if the probe concludes that unfair practices are occurring.
The European Union has not yet commented publicly on Trump’s announcement. However, both sides have a history of exchanging retaliatory measures in trade disputes, so a broader conflict is possible.
Conclusion
President Trump’s decision to launch a formal trade investigation into the EU’s Google fine marks a significant escalation in the transatlantic technology dispute. As both the United States and the European Union battle over who will set the rules for the digital economy, the coming months will likely see more tension and possible new measures from both sides.
