Full story
Trump targets EU over Google
President Donald Trump threatened to launch a trade investigation into the European Union after regulators fined Google about $1 billion, and said the bloc would “pay a very big price” for what he called “illegal and highly unethical conduct.”
“20 Minutes with AFP Published July 24, 2026 at 8:38 PM • Updated July 24, 2026 at 8:38 PM Trade tensions between the United States and the European Union are once again intensifying on Friday”
In a Truth Social post, Trump said the United States would “immediately launch a Section 301 investigation” into what he described as discriminatory treatment of U.S. businesses by the EU.
The European Commission fined Google €890 million on Thursday for violating the EU’s Digital Markets Act, including €460 million for steering users of Google Search and €430 million for restricting how app developers direct users away from Google Play.
The dispute centers on the EU’s finding that Google steered users toward its own services and apps rather than rivals, and the commission said the action was intended to protect competition and consumers.
Trump’s threat arrived after the White House announced double-digit tariffs on imports from more than 60 countries, with the EU included among the targets.
EU and Google respond
The European Commission defended the fines as competition enforcement under the Digital Markets Act, with Teresa Ribera saying, “The best products should succeed because they're better, not because they're owned by the company running the search engine.”
Google’s president of global affairs, Kent Walker, said the implementation “continues to break everyday products,” adding that to comply “we are having to strip away real-time Search features Europeans love.”
Trump’s post also accused the EU of taking “direct aim at GREAT American Companies!” and said the United States would initiate a 301 investigation into the practice of “ROBBING” American Companies.
U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned that the EU’s enforcement action undermined “constructive dialogue” and posed a “real risk” to transatlantic trade stability.
Euronews reported that the European Commission said it would engage with the US to de-escalate tensions after the fine, while preserving the EU’s regulatory “autonomy”.
What happens next
Trump said the penalties against the companies “will be entirely reversed” and predicted “a substantial TARIFF” would be placed on the EU “at the earliest possible moment.”
“breakingParamount agrees to delay closing Warner Bros buyout while judge considers challenge Trump says US will investigate EU trade practices, claiming the bloc unfairly fined Google, Apple and other tech giants Trump says US will investigate EU trade practices, claiming the bloc unfairly fined Google, Apple and other tech giants ByThe Associated Press July 24, 2026, 5:26 PM 1:15 Headlines from ABC News LiveCatch up on the developing stories making headlines”
DW reported that Trump’s threats came just hours after his administration imposed new tariffs on the EU and other countries over forced-labor concerns, and said allies responded with “outrage and bafflement.”
The EU’s fine against Google was described as the latest major crackdown on Big Tech, and the AP reported that Trump’s move followed the EU hitting Google with a fine of 890 million euros, or $1 billion, after it said Google broke digital antitrust rules.
AP also said José Castañeda, a spokesperson for Google, stated that the company has worked to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act and expressed concerns about the effects of the European Commission’s decisions.
In parallel, the sources described a broader legal and trade backdrop, including that the new tariffs are being implemented using Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, and that the EU and US have been bickering over the terms of their trade agreement reached last year.
