EU Fines Google $3.5 Billion, Prompting Trump’s Outrage and Warning of US Action

The European Union’s decision to fine Google $3.5 billion for anti-competitive practices in online advertising has drawn sharp condemnation from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump labeled the fine as unjust and declared that his administration would not accept such ‘discriminatory actions.’ The European Commission (EC) found that Google had violated antitrust regulations by prioritizing its own online ad tech services, thus harming competition within the ad tech industry. On his social media platform, Trump criticized the fine, asserting that it diverts money that should be invested in American projects and job creation. He pointed out that this penalty is yet another in a series of fines and taxes imposed on Google and other U.S. tech companies. Trump threatened to trigger ‘Section 301’ action to overturn the fine, while emphasizing Google’s previous payments of $13 billion in what he described as ‘false claims and charges.’ He urged the EU to immediately end these practices against American companies.