Trump Threatens EU with Tariffs Over $3.47B Google Fine

URGENT UPDATE: US President Donald Trump has launched a fierce attack on the European Union, threatening retaliatory tariffs in response to a staggering $3.47 billion antitrust fine imposed on Google. This explosive development comes just a day after Trump hosted tech leaders, including Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai and co-founder Sergey Brin, at a lavish White House dinner.

In a post on his Truth Social network earlier today, Trump stated, “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.” He went on to describe the penalty as “very unfair,” asserting that the American taxpayer will not stand for it!

This latest clash follows a history of similar cases, including the $13 billion back tax order against Apple, which was mandated by Brussels in 2016. Trump emphasized, “They should get their money back!” He reiterated that should the EU fail to reverse the Google fine, he would initiate proceedings for tariffs aimed at “nullifying the unfair penalties.”

The timing of Trump’s remarks is critical, occurring just after a US judge ruled against the government in an antitrust case that sought to force Google to divest its Chrome web browser. During the White House gathering, Trump congratulated Pichai and Brin for this significant legal victory, underscoring the ongoing tensions between the US tech industry and European regulatory actions.

This escalating rhetoric signals a potential trade showdown that could have profound implications for international relations and the tech landscape. As officials brace for possible retaliatory measures, the stakes are high for both American companies operating in Europe and for the EU’s regulatory framework.

Stay tuned for more developments on this breaking story as it unfolds.