US President Donald Trump announced that his administration would open a Section 301 investigation into the European Union after the bloc imposed a €890 million, or approximately $1 billion, fine on Google.
Trump accused the EU of unfairly targeting American technology companies and said the investigation would likely lead to substantial tariffs on European imports.
“The United States of America is not a ‘PIGGYBANK’ for Europe, nor will we allow it to be,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He said the administration would investigate what he described as the practice of “robbing” American companies and taxpayers.
Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the US Trade Representative to investigate foreign policies or practices that unfairly restrict or burden American commerce.
The process can lead to tariffs or other trade measures if the administration concludes that the foreign practices are unreasonable or discriminatory.
However, the investigation itself cannot legally overturn the EU’s penalties. Trump claimed that US pressure would force the bloc to reverse the fines. Any tariffs would follow the investigation rather than take effect immediately.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer had already criticised the Google decision, saying the European Commission’s approach created uncertainty for transatlantic trade and disproportionately affected American companies.
The European Commission fined Google €890 million for two violations of the Digital Markets Act.
The Commission found that Google gave its own shopping, hotel and other specialised services more prominent treatment in Search than competing third-party services.
It also ruled that Google Play prevented app developers from freely informing users about alternative purchasing options, including offers that could be cheaper outside the Play Store.
The Digital Markets Act came into force in 2022 and regulates major technology platforms classified as gatekeepers. The EU has previously used it to take action against companies including Apple and Meta.
The latest threat follows a US Supreme Court ruling in February that struck down Trump’s earlier global tariffs imposed under emergency-powers legislation.
The administration has since increasingly relied on Section 301 and other trade laws to introduce or prepare new tariffs.
Section 301 allows the government to respond to specific foreign trade practices. However, actions taken under the law can still face legal challenges in US courts.
Two American businesses have already challenged a separate group of tariffs recently imposed under Section 301, arguing that the administration exceeded its authority.
Trump has repeatedly criticised European penalties and regulations affecting American technology companies.
The latest dispute adds further pressure to relations between Washington and Brussels, which are already dealing with disagreements over trade tariffs and digital regulations.
The European Commission maintains that its technology rules protect competition and consumer choice rather than discriminate against US businesses.
No additional tariff rate has been announced, and the administration has not provided a timeline for completing the investigation.
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