EU threatens measures against US tech giants in response to trade dispute

The European Union is contemplating potential trade measures against major US technology companies, including Google, Apple, and Meta, as a response to duties imposed by the United States.

Bernd Lange, Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, suggested that the EU might take legislative action targeting both goods and services from these tech giants if the trade dispute escalates, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Lange highlighted the significant trade deficit between the EU and the US, noting that American technology companies account for approximately 30 per cent of their total turnover in the European market. "We have a deficit of about a hundred billion euros, and the turnover of American technology giants in the EU is about 30 per cent," Lange explained. "If we are really in a moment of escalation, we will consider measures against the tech giants."

While Lange acknowledged the possibility of imposing duties on US tech companies, he emphasized that the EU's preference remains to resolve the issue through diplomatic negotiations. However, he also pointed to the European Union's readiness to take more assertive steps if necessary, including the use of the anti-coercion instrument. This mechanism allows the EU to implement countermeasures against countries that are perceived to be exerting undue pressure or "coercion" on EU member states.

Last month, the European Commission has accused the US tech companies Google and Apple of breaking its digital rules, in a landmark action that could escalate transatlantic tension with Donald Trump.

The US president has sought to exert pressure on the EU to back away from tougher regulation of American technology groups, warning that he could retaliate by imposing tariffs on foreign companies.

Trump declared in a memo that the Digital Markets Act (DMA) — which lays out rules for how tech companies should operate on the European market — would face scrutiny and could lead to reciprocal tariffs.

The EU executive is expected to dole out a fine to Apple for its rules on developers that prevent them from communicating offers to iPhone users, according to people briefed on the matter. In parallel, a separate investigation into Apple’s browser default settings is expected to be wound down, as changes made by the iPhone maker last year have earned a positive nod from competing browser developers.

Meta will face a fine for imposing terms and conditions on users for the use of their personal data that are in breach of the DMA.

By Vafa Guliyeva