Trump says US will "immediately initiate a 301 investigation" into EU

President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will launch a Section 301 trade investigation into the European Union and is weighing a “substantial” tariff, retaliating against recent European penalties on American technology firms. The threat, posted on his Truth Social platform, follows the European Commission’s €890 million fine on Google for violating the Digital Markets Act. Trump also referenced alleged fines against Apple, Meta, and Amazon, calling for those penalties to be reversed and accusing European regulators of “robbing American companies.” The investigation would examine trade practices the U.S. deems unfair. This escalates transatlantic trade tensions just one day after Trump imposed new tariffs of 10–12.5% on 60 trading partners, including the EU, and follows a prior threat of a 100% tariff on countries with digital services taxes.