The U.S. tech sector faced nearly $800 million in European Union fines against Apple and Meta, which may prompt the industry to seek President Donald Trump’s attention. Tech lobbyists have long urged Washington to oppose the European Commission’s 2022 Digital Markets Act (DMA), a set of antitrust rules perceived as targeting American tech firms. On Wednesday, the first penalties under the DMA were issued: €500 million against Apple and €200 million against Meta, along with demands for changes in their business practices. Industry insiders see this as a pivotal moment for U.S.-EU tech relations. Meta’s chief global affairs officer, Joel Kaplan, referred to the EU’s €200 million fine as a “multi-billion-dollar tariff,” aiming to capture Trump’s focus. The National Security Council spokesperson labeled the fines as “economic extortion” and warned of U.S. retaliation. While the tech industry’s relationship with Trump has been inconsistent, they continue lobbying for support. Apple criticized the EU’s fine and mandated changes as harmful to user privacy and security. Industry observers suggest that further EU actions against other tech giants might be necessary to fully engage Trump’s administration.
— new from Politico
