On day three of President Donald J. Trump's return to the White House, he virtually appeared at the World Economic Forum set in Davos, Switzerland where he made an interesting remark addressing the European Union about what they are doing to American companies. In his virtual appearance, Trump went on to criticize the European Union's focus on condemning US Big Tech companies to massive fines that are still ongoing now.
Before he won the presidency, it is known that Trump had a conversation with Apple's CEO Tim Cook, where the executive talked to the then-candidate about a new EU fine they are facing that is on top of their $15 billion from Cupertino.
Trump vs. EU: US Big Tech Fines Are Forms of Taxation Says POTUS
According to The Hill's Julia Shapero, President Trump made a bold move in his participation in the World Economic Forum last Wednesday, particularly as he called out the European Union for their significant actions against American companies. Trump went on to criticize the EU's decisions and litigations against American corporations, and in this case, Trump focused on US Big Tech firms.
It was revealed by Trump that the EU has already collected hefty fines against US Big Tech companies, citing examples like Apple, where the EU already won "$15 or $16 billion," and also mentioned the billions they won from Google.
Trump also regarded that the EU is still after Facebook (Meta) for "billions and billions," claiming that these fines are a "form of taxation" against American companies. The President of the United States regarded that the EU should not be doing that because they are American companies and that they (Trump's administration) "have some very bigcomplaints with the EU."
Trump Fulfills Promise to US Big Tech Against EU Fines
A month before the election, Trump revealed that he received a phone call from Apple's CEO, and Cook told the presidential aspirant that they are facing another $15 billion fine in the EU on top of the $2 billion penalty they paid for Apple Music's antitrust complaint. Trump went on to promise Cook that once he wins the election, he will use his power to stop the EU and others from going against American companies, which he recently fulfilled.
The European Union's Antitrust vs. US Big Tech
The Americans are known for having some of the largest tech companies in the world, and they have been embroiled in multiple antitrust battles with the European Union over the past years, including the most recent one in 2024. Apple is among those who were designated as a gatekeeper under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) of the EU, leading to significant changes to the App Store, iOS, and more.
On the other hand, the world's top internet company, Google, has also faced a series of heavy litigation from the European Commission over the years, with the company made to pay billions in fines because of their practices. Among the complaints Google faced was its massive anti-competitive tactics in the Search market, as well as the Play Store, with its advertising leg also facing complaints by over 30 European media groups under the French antitrust regulators.
Among them is also Mark Zuckerberg's Meta which is also designated as a gatekeeper under the DMA, with other antitrust complaints also filed against the massive social media platform where it allegedly trumped the competition.The latest criticism of Donald Trump against the EU puts the POTUS on a new pedestal that makes him the American hero for the US Big Tech, fulfilling one of his promises to tech companies to those going against Americans and their businesses.
