President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a trade investigation to “nullify” fines imposed by the European Union on major U.S. tech companies, including Apple and Google.
In a Sept. 5 Truth Social post, Trump said he would begin a Section 301 probe to challenge what he described as “unfair penalties” targeting American businesses.
“We cannot let this happen to brilliant and unprecedented American Ingenuity and, if it does, I will be forced to start a Section 301 proceeding to nullify the unfair penalties being charged to these Taxpaying American Companies,” Trump wrote.
He argued that the EU’s actions were “effectively taking money that would otherwise go to American investments and jobs.”
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the U.S. government to investigate and respond to trade practices deemed discriminatory against American commerce. The U.S. Trade Representative oversees such probes and decides on further action.
Trump cited Apple and Google as examples, saying both had been forced to pay billions in fines. Apple, he said, paid $17 billion “that should not have been charged,” while Google paid $13 billion “in false claims and charges.”
“How crazy is that?” he added in a follow-up post. “The European Union must stop this practice against American companies, immediately!”
This comes after Trump secured a trade deal with the EU in July, which placed a 15 percent tariff on most EU exports, including automobiles, lumber, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors. The EU also agreed to purchase $750 billion in U.S. energy by 2028 and invest $600 billion in U.S. infrastructure and manufacturing.
Trump’s latest warning followed a $3.5 billion antitrust fine issued against Google by the European Commission. Regulators accused the company of abusing its dominance in the advertising technology market by prioritizing its own products and harming competition.
“Today’s decision shows that Google abused its dominant position in adtech, harming publishers, advertisers, and consumers. This behaviour is illegal under EU antitrust rules,” EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said.
Despite the fine, Google’s parent company Alphabet saw its shares rise more than 1 percent to $235.05 on Sept. 5. Apple stock closed little changed at $239.69. Analysts said the ruling was less severe than expected and could ease investor concerns about regulatory pressure on Big Tech.
In July, Trump also opened a Section 301 probe into Brazil’s trade practices, targeting areas such as digital trade, ethanol access, intellectual property, corruption, and deforestation. A 50 percent tariff was later imposed on Brazilian imports.
The U.S. has used Section 301 extensively in past trade disputes, particularly against China.
Apple and Google have not yet commented on Trump’s statements.
