Trump threatens trade probe after EU fines Google $1B

President Donald Trump on Friday said the United States would open a Section 301 trade investigation into the European Union, threatening new tariffs in retaliation for Brussels fining Alphabet's ↗ 0.24% Google €890 million ($1 billion) for violating the Digital Markets Act.

"We will immediately initiate a 301 Investigation into the practice of 'ROBBING' American Companies and, in turn, the American Taxpayer," Trump wrote on Truth Social, warning that "the European Union will pay a very big price for this illegal and highly discriminatory" action.vancouverisland.ctvnews+2

The EU's First DMA Fine Against Google

The European Commission announced the penalties on Thursday, July 23, finding Google in breach of the bloc's landmark competition law on two fronts. The first fine of €460 million targeted self-preferencing in Google Search, where the company gave its own shopping, hotel, transport, and sports services more prominent placement than rival offerings. A second fine of €430 million addressed restrictions on the Google Play store that prevented app developers from steering consumers toward cheaper alternatives outside the platform.digital-markets-act.europa+3

The penalties mark Google's first fine under the DMA, though the company has accumulated more than €10 billion in EU antitrust sanctions over nearly two decades. Google has 60 days to comply with the Commission's requirements or face daily penalties of up to 5 percent of its average global daily turnover.mezha+2

A Familiar Playbook

Trump's response follows the pattern he established in September 2025, when he threatened Section 301 action after the EU imposed a separate €2.95 billion antitrust fine on Google over its advertising technology business. At that time, Trump accused Brussels of siphoning funds that would "otherwise go to American Investments and Jobs."washingtonexaminer+2

The administration has steadily escalated its stance on European tech enforcement. In February 2025, Trump issued a memorandum providing for tariffs on countries hindering American companies' global competitiveness. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer signaled earlier this week that additional tariff action was imminent.iss.europa+1

Compliance and What Comes Next

Despite the fine, EU regulators indicated that further daily penalties against Google are unlikely, citing the company's progress toward compliance. The Commission had been in dialogue with Google since issuing preliminary findings in March 2025 that its search practices violated the DMA.mezha+1

The escalation lands amid already strained transatlantic trade relations, with existing U.S. tariffs of 20 percent on EU goods and ongoing negotiations over digital regulation. A Section 301 investigation could take months but would provide legal authority for additional targeted tariffs on European exports to the United States.congress+1