Former U.S. President Donald Trump strongly criticized the European Union’s (EU) hefty $3.5 billion fine imposed on Google, calling it unfair. He stated that his administration would not tolerate this ‘discriminatory action.’ The European Commission (EC) announced the fine on Friday, citing anti-competitive practices in the online advertising technology (ad tech) sector. According to the EC, Google violated EU antitrust rules by favoring its own online ad tech services, thus distorting competition within the ad tech industry. Trump, in multiple posts on his social media platform, Truth Social, argued that the fine drained funds that should be invested in American ventures and job creation. He also highlighted that the fine adds to the multiple penalties and taxes levied against Google and other American tech companies. Threatening to initiate ‘Section 301’ proceedings to nullify the fine against American companies, Trump urged the EU to cease these practices, pointing out that Google had previously paid $13 billion in ‘false claims and charges’.
