U.S. President Donald Trump announced his administration would immediately launch a Section 301 investigation into the European Union after Brussels fined Google approximately $1 billion under its Digital Markets Act. The investigation, authorized under the 1974 Trade Act, allows Washington to examine foreign trade practices and respond with tariffs. Trump accused the EU of targeting major American technology companies through repeated penalties, stating the United States would not serve as a source of funds for Europe. The announcement follows broader U.S. tariff action against about 60 trading partners, including the European Union, with new duties of 10% to 12.5% taking effect Friday. The dispute intensifies trade tensions between Washington and Brussels over the treatment of American companies under European digital regulations.
Trump Announces Section 301 Investigation Following Google Fine
Trump said his administration would immediately start a Section 301 investigation into the European Union after regulators imposed a new penalty on Google. Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act allows Washington to investigate foreign trade practices and respond with tariffs.
The president accused the EU of targeting major American technology companies through repeated penalties. He said the bloc had fined Apple, Meta, Amazon, Google, and other U.S. firms, adding that the United States would not allow Europe to treat it as a source of funds.
Trump wrote, "The United States of America is not a 'PIGGYBANK' for Europe, nor will we allow it to be." He also said the EU would "pay a very big price" for what he described as unfair treatment of American companies.
The threat followed broader U.S. tariff action against about 60 trading partners, including the European Union. New duties of 10% to 12.5% took effect Friday after earlier trade investigations.
EU Fines Google $1 Billion Under Digital Markets Act
The European Commission fined Google 890 million euros, or about $1 billion, for breaching the Digital Markets Act. The penalty was the first imposed on Google under the EU's major law for large online platforms.
The Commission issued two decisions against the company. One fine of 460 million euros covered allegations that Google favored its own shopping, hotel, transport, and sports services in search results.
A second fine of 430 million euros related to restrictions on app developers. EU regulators said those restrictions stopped developers from directing users to cheaper offers outside the Google Play store.
The Digital Markets Act allows penalties of up to 10% of global annual turnover for violations. Repeat violations can lead to fines of up to 20% of global annual turnover.
An EU official said the latest penalties represented about 0.22% of Google's turnover. EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said, "We are very committed to our rules."
EU officials have said their digital rules are not aimed only at U.S. firms. Washington has continued to reject that view, saying American companies are being singled out by European enforcement.
Cumulative EU Penalties Against US Tech Companies Reach $21.5 Billion
Trump's post also referred to past EU penalties against other American companies. He cited $15 billion in fines against Apple, $3 billion against Meta, and $2.5 billion against Amazon.
Including the latest Google penalty, the penalties cited by Trump total about $21.5 billion. He said the U.S. expected the penalties to be reversed and warned that a substantial tariff could follow quickly.
Trump wrote that the administration would investigate what he called the EU's practice of "ROBBING" American companies and taxpayers. He also said, "Stay tuned!" as he warned of possible trade action.
The dispute adds pressure to the trade framework agreed by Washington and Brussels last year. That deal lowered U.S. duties on European cars in exchange for concessions from the EU.
The fresh clash also comes as U.S. technology companies seek closer White House support in disputes over European digital rules. Several large firms have increased lobbying around EU regulation since Trump returned to office in January 2025.
The next step will be the Section 301 process, which could determine whether the U.S. moves from threats to tariffs. The EU has defended its regulatory action, while the White House has framed the Google penalty as part of a wider dispute over treatment of American companies.
FAQ
What did Trump announce after the EU fined Google?
Trump announced his administration would immediately launch a Section 301 investigation into the European Union after Brussels fined Google approximately $1 billion under its Digital Markets Act. Section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act allows Washington to investigate foreign trade practices and respond with tariffs.
Why did the EU fine Google $1 billion?
The European Commission fined Google 890 million euros for breaching the Digital Markets Act. One fine of 460 million euros covered allegations that Google favored its own shopping, hotel, transport, and sports services in search results. A second fine of 430 million euros related to restrictions on app developers that stopped them from directing users to cheaper offers outside the Google Play store.
How much has the EU fined US tech companies in total?
Trump cited cumulative penalties totaling about $21.5 billion against U.S. technology companies. He referenced $15 billion in fines against Apple, $3 billion against Meta, $2.5 billion against Amazon, and the latest $1 billion penalty against Google.
