Trump threatens 'substantial' EU tariff over Google's $1B fine

EU hits Google with its largest DMA fine yet

The European Union has fined @Google €890 million ($1 billion) for breaching rules designed to promote competition in digital services, the first time the company has been penalized under the bloc's landmark Digital Markets Act (DMA). The Commission took two decisions finding non-compliance: one for self-preferencing Google's own services on Google Search, and another for restricting businesses from directing consumers to alternative, often cheaper, purchase channels on Google Play.

A €460 million fine addressed Google's favoritism of its own services in search results, covering shopping, hotels, transport and sports. A separate €430 million fine targeted Play Store restrictions that prevented app developers from directing users to potentially cheaper offers through alternative channels. EU competition chief Teresa Ribera said Google had "fallen short of effective compliance with the Digital Markets Act." Google has 60 days to implement the required measures or face further penalties.

Trump fires back with tariff threat

@realDonaldTrump announced a trade probe into the European Union, saying it will likely result in a "substantial" tariff on the 27-member bloc. Trump said the U.S. will "immediately" start an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which permits the imposition of tariffs in response to practices that unfairly burden U.S. commerce.

Hours earlier, the administration imposed new duties of between 10% and 12.5% on goods from more than 80 countries, including those in the EU, over alleged forced labor issues. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had already criticized the EU's decision to fine Google, saying the action undermined "constructive dialogue" and posed a "real risk" to transatlantic trade stability.

The penalties are the largest yet against a single company under the DMA. In 2025, the bloc fined Meta €200 million and Apple €500 million under the same rules. For Washington, each new fine is increasingly treated as a tariff trigger. Trump has repeatedly criticized the bloc's efforts to rein in Silicon Valley giants, and when Google was last fined by the EU in September 2025, he threatened fresh trade tariffs against the bloc.

Sources:
CNBC: Trump threatens EU with 'substantial TARIFF' for 'ROBBING' U.S. tech giants
European Commission: Commission fines Google €890 million for breaches of the Digital Markets Act
CNN: Europe fines Google $1 billion for 'harming' rivals in a first under sweeping online law