Trump Threatens EU with 'Very Big Price' Over Google Fine
U.S. President announces launch of trade investigation and imposition of tariffs after European Commission fined Google €890 million.
U.S. President announces launch of trade investigation and imposition of tariffs after European Commission fined Google €890 million.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened the European Union with tariffs and a formal trade investigation on Thursday, a day after the European Commission fined Google €890 million for violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA). In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, he said the EU would pay a "very high price for this illegal and highly unethical behavior" and announced he would "immediately initiate a Section 301 investigation."
On July 23, 2026, the European Commission issued two decisions against Google: €460 million for favoring its own services (shopping, hotels, transport) in search results, and €430 million for restrictions that prevented app developers from directing users to cheaper offers outside the Google Play store. It was the first fine against the company under the DMA, a regulation that governs the conduct of dominant online platforms.
In his post, Trump expanded his accusations to other American tech giants. He claimed that Apple was fined $15 billion by the EU, Meta $3 billion, and Amazon $2.5 billion. "The United States is not a PIGGY BANK for Europe, nor will we allow it," he wrote, adding that the fines would be "fully reversed" and that he expects a "significant TARIFF" on the EU. The British BBC, however, reports that it is unclear where Trump's figures come from. Available data show that Apple paid $570 million in 2025, Meta paid a total of $1.04 billion in 2024 and 2025, while the $800 million fine against Amazon in Luxembourg was overturned.
The Section 301 investigation under the Trade Act of 1974 allows Washington to examine foreign practices it considers discriminatory and retaliate with tariffs. The Trump administration has already launched several similar investigations since returning to the White House in 2025. The threat comes at a sensitive time: on the same day, Trump announced new tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on imports from 60 countries, including the EU, the United Kingdom, and China, replacing the previous general tariff of 10 percent. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had already criticized the Commission's decision on Wednesday, stating that it undermines "constructive dialogue" and creates a "real risk" for transatlantic trade stability. Recall that in 2025, the U.S. and EU reached a trade agreement that lowered U.S. tariffs on European cars in exchange for concessions from Brussels.
Google spokesman José Castañeda told the BBC that the company had "worked hard to comply" with the DMA but had expressed "concern about the impact of the European Commission's recent decisions." He emphasized that they appreciate the "engagement of the administration and the U.S. government." Meta has previously accused the EU of "trying to cripple successful American companies." On the other hand, European Union officials have repeatedly stated that their digital regulations are not aimed at U.S. companies.
The new trade conflict further escalates already tense relations between the world's two largest economies. Although there is no direct Croatian component in this dispute, the escalation of tariff measures could potentially indirectly affect Croatian exporters and end consumers of digital services.
