'US Is Not Piggybank': Trump Says EU Will Pay 'Very Big Price' Over $1 Billion Google Fine
'US Is Not Piggybank': Trump Says EU Will Pay 'Very Big Price' Over $1 Billion Google Fine Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 00:48
'US Is Not Piggybank': Trump Says EU Will Pay 'Very Big Price' Over $1 Billion Google Fine Published By, Last Updated: July 25, 2026, 00:48 IST Trump said he would "immediately initiate a 301 Investigation" into what he called the EU's practice of "ROBBING" US firms. US President Donald Trump. (Image source: Reuters) US President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose tariffs on the European Union and launch a formal trade investigation after Brussels fined Google $1 billion for violating the bloc’s digital competition rules. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the EU “will pay a very big price" for what he called “illegal and highly unethical conduct" against American companies. “The European Union will pay a very big price for this illegal and highly unethical conduct, which I have consistently warned them about," the US president wrote.
Trump said he would “immediately initiate a 301 Investigation" into what he called the EU’s practice of “ROBBING" US firms. He also warned that a “substantial TARIFF" on the bloc could come “at the earliest possible moment." “The United States of America is not a “PIGGYBANK" for Europe, nor will we allow it to be," Trump wrote. A Section 301 investigation allows Washington to examine foreign trade practices it considers unfair and take retaliatory measures, including imposing tariffs. Google Fine Sparks Fresh Tensions The latest dispute was triggered by the European Commission’s decision to fine Google 890 million euros ($1 billion) under the Digital Markets Act (DMA). It was the first penalty imposed on the company under the EU’s landmark digital regulation. The Commission issued two separate penalties — a 460-million-euro fine for allegedly favouring Google’s own services, including shopping, hotel and transport offerings, in search results, and a 430-million-euro fine over restrictions on app developers directing users to cheaper options outside Google Play.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had earlier criticised the EU action, saying it could harm transatlantic trade relations. The EU has defended its digital rules, with European technology chief Henna Virkkunen saying the bloc remained committed to enforcing its laws. EU officials have repeatedly said the regulations are designed to ensure fair competition and are not targeted at US companies. However, Washington has continued to argue that American technology firms face unfair treatment under European rules. (With inputs from agencies) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers,...
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