Trump Vows "Substantial Tariff" on EU for Allegedly "Robbing" U.S. Tech Giants

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President Donald Trump has declared his administration will initiate a trade probe against the European Union, asserting that this action is a direct response to the bloc's alleged "robbing" of American technology companies. The probe is expected to culminate in the imposition of a "substantial" tariff on the 27-member EU.

Trump voiced his accusations on Truth Social, stating that the EU has been "ROBBING American Companies and, in turn, the American Taxpayer." This strong statement comes in the wake of a recent $1 billion fine levied against Google by the EU for allegedly prioritizing its own services. The EU's executive branch, the European Commission, justified the fine, totaling 890 million euros, by citing Google's noncompliance with the bloc's Digital Markets Act, which aims to regulate the practices of major tech firms.

"The European Union is at it again and, as usual, taking direct aim at GREAT American Companies!"

Trump's ire also extends to previous European penalties against other U.S. tech giants, including Apple, Meta, and Amazon. He asserted that the EU's behavior "is not going to continue during the Trump Administration" and declared, "The United States of America is not a 'PIGGYBANK' for Europe, nor will we allow it to be!"

The investigation will be conducted under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, a provision that grants the U.S. the authority to impose tariffs in response to trade practices deemed unfair to American commerce. This is the same authority the Trump administration recently used to implement new tariffs on goods from over 80 countries.

Notably, a federal lawsuit challenging these recently imposed tariffs was filed just hours after they took effect. The lawsuit, brought forth by the Liberty Justice Center on behalf of two small businesses, argues that the government is misusing Section 301 to reintroduce tariffs that were previously struck down by the Supreme Court.

Trump concluded his statement by warning the EU of a "very big price" for its actions and anticipated a "substantial TARIFF to be placed on them at the earliest possible moment." He urged followers to "Stay tuned!"