On September 5, 2025, President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on the European Union following the European Commission’s decision to fine Google €2.95 billion for antitrust violations in the ad-tech market.

Trump denounced the EU’s action as discriminatory, warning that he would launch an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, potentially leading to retaliatory trade restrictions against the bloc.

The Commission has required Google to propose remedies within 60 days, which could include structural changes to its advertising technology operations to address self-preferencing.

Trump and senior officials—including Vice President J.D. Vance—have increasingly criticized European tech regulations, framing them as unfair to American companies and an impediment to free speech.

This development underscores rising tensions between the U.S. and EU amid broader antitrust scrutiny of Google by the U.S. Justice Department. As reported by Politico.