US launches trade probe into EU over tech fines

The Trump administration announced on July 24, 2026, that it will launch a formal trade investigation into the European Union over fines levied against major American technology companies, a move that could lead to new tariffs on European goods. The announcement came one day after the European Commission fined Google 890 million euros, approximately $1 billion, for violating the bloc's Digital Markets Act.

President Donald Trump made the announcement in a post on his Truth Social platform, accusing the EU of unfairly targeting U.S. firms. He cited the recent Google penalty alongside previous multibillion-dollar fines against Apple, Meta, and Amazon, describing the pattern as an "illegal and highly discriminatory practice." Trump stated the U.S. would "immediately initiate a 301 Investigation into the practice of ROBBING American Companies" and warned the EU would "pay a very big price," predicting the probe could result in "a substantial TARIFF."

The investigation will proceed under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the U.S. government to examine foreign trade practices deemed unfair and respond with tariffs or other measures. This action follows a separate...