US President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a trade investigation against the European Union after Brussels imposed a $3.46 billion penalty on Google for abusing its dominance in digital advertising.
Criticising the decision, Trump called the fine “unfair” and warned that his administration would not allow the “discriminatory action” to stand.
In a post on Truth Social on Friday, Trump sharply criticised the European Commission’s decision, calling it unfair and discriminatory toward US companies.
"Europe today 'hit' another great American company, Google, with a $3.5 Billion Dollar fine, effectively taking money that would otherwise go to American Investments and Jobs. This is on top of the many other Fines and Taxes that have been issued against Google and other American Tech Companies, in particular. Very unfair, and the American Taxpayer will not stand for it!" Trump wrote on TruthSocial.
Trump threatened to initiate a 'Section 301' investigation to counter the penalties on US firms, pointing out that Google had already paid USD 17 billion in what he termed “false claims and charges,” while urging the EU to put an end to such practices.
"As I have said before, my Administration will NOT allow these discriminatory actions to stand. Apple, as an example, was forced to pay $17 Billion Dollars in a Fine that, in my opinion, should not have been charged -- They should get their money back! 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. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Trump further added in the post.
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