A significant blow to the U.S. technology industry—almost $800 million lost
European Union fines against Apple and Meta
— could be just what the industry needs to get
its global anti-regulation campaign
back onto President Donald Trump’s radar.
Technology lobbyists have for years desired Washington to strongly oppose the European Commission’s 2022 Digital Markets Act, which consists of antitrust regulations that they argue unjustly singles out U.S. technology firms.
On Wednesday, the initial fines were imposed under the new legislation: €500 million levied against Apple and €200 million against Meta, accompanied by substantial demands for changes in how both corporations operate.
With the European Union’s technology competition regulations now affecting U.S. firms directly, “we’re beginning to see action,” according to Katie Harbath, who previously served as a long-time public policy director at Meta.
Shortly following the announcement of the penalties, lobbyists from Meta and leading technology associations began their efforts.
attacked the fines
— specifically calling them “tariffs,”
legally debatable point
appears to be crafted specifically to catch Trump’s eye.
In a
Wednesday statement
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer, stated that the European Union’s €200 million penalty—along with the necessary modifications to Meta’s ad strategy—”amounts to a multibillion-dollar tax on Meta while forcing us to provide a substandard service.”
The European Union’s fines represent an “escalation” in the transatlantic trade dispute, according to Kay Hazemi-Jebelli, who serves as the senior director for Europe at tech advocacy organization Chamber of Progress. This group receives funding from various sources including Apple. He noted that these fresh sanctions imposed on Apple and Meta should particularly draw the Biden administration’s focus toward the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The Trump administration seems poised to respond accordingly: According to a declaration made to Viral Buzz News by National Security Council representative Brian Hughes, the penalties imposed on Apple and Meta on Wednesday were labeled as “a new kind of economic coercion” which will not be accepted by the United States.
“Regulations with extraterritorial reach that single out and weaken U.S. firms, hinder progress, and facilitate censorship will be deemed obstacles to commerce and a clear danger to open societies,” stated Hughes, urging an end to “the European Union’s downward spiral of regulation.”
Harbath referred to Kaplan’s reference to tariffs as a “highly evident” effort to connect Europe’s technology regulations—such as the DMA, enacted in 2022 and implemented in 2024—to Trump’s trade war planned for 2025.
So far, the tech sector’s relationship with Trump has been somewhat contradictory. Although leading technology executives have openly aligned themselves with his administration—and even reached out directly to the President—the Trump administration keeps advancing its antitrust actions against companies like Meta, Apple, and various other major tech firms.
According to Harbath, everything revolves around what benefits Trump and his administration,” he stated. “These corporations are merely attempting minor adjustments to influence that outcome.
When asked if Meta desired for Trump to focus on the DMA during future trade talks, spokesman Andy Stone refrained from direct commentary but pointed out something else.
report released last month
as stated by the U.S. Trade Representative who deemed the legislation a non-tariff trade barrier. Additionally, he referred to Kaplan’s
February claim
Meta has stated that they will not hesitate to ask the Trump administration for support in defending the U.S. technology industry against European Union regulations.
Valdis Dombrovskis, who holds the position of the European Union’s chief economic official,
is slated to meet
on Friday alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
When questioned about whether the Digital Markets Act (DMA) should serve as a bargaining chip in U.S.-European Union talks, an Apple representative chose not to comment. The company’s spokesman characterized the European Commission’s €500 million penalty levied against Apple along with enforced alterations in conduct as detrimental to user privacy and security. They also stated that these measures compel them to share their technological advancements without charge.
Harbath mentioned that the EU might have to focus on more technology firms, possibly imposing stricter fines, as Trump has threatened to hit the bloc with tariffs particularly due to the DMA issue.
“I believe there may need to be additional measures,” she stated. Harbath implied that the White House might not take significant notice until the European Union takes action against firms such as X, which is the social media platform owned by Elon Musk.
conspicuously avoided DMA fines
on Wednesday.
