Trump slams EU’s $3.47 billion fine against Google, threatens tariffs

US President Donald Trump on September 5 denounced the European Union’s $3.47 billion antitrust fine against Google, calling it “unfair” and warning of retaliatory measures if the decision is not reversed.

Trump’s comments came a day after he hosted top executives from major technology companies, including Google, at a White House dinner.

“Europe today ‘hit’ another great American company, Google, with a $3.5 billion dollar fine, effectively taking money that would otherwise go to American investments and jobs,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “This is on top of the many other fines and taxes that have been issued against Google and other American tech companies, in particular. Very unfair, and the American taxpayer will not stand for it!”

The president said his administration would not allow what he described as “discriminatory actions” against US firms.

“As I have said before, my Administration will NOT allow these discriminatory actions to stand,” Trump continued. “Apple, as an example, was forced to pay $17 billion dollars in a fine that, in my opinion, should not have been charged — they should get their money back! We cannot let this happen to brilliant and unprecedented American ingenuity.”

Trump added that unless the EU backs down, he would “be forced to start a Section 301 proceeding to nullify the unfair penalties being charged to these taxpaying American companies.”

By Sabina Mammadli