“Economic blackmail”: Donald Trump attacks Europe after the fines against Apple and Meta

The standoff is intensifying between the United States and the European Union after the sanctions imposed on Apple and Meta. The European Commission inflicted a fine of 500 million euros on Apple and 200 million on Meta, accusing the two giants of not respecting Digital Markets Act (DMA). This emblematic text aims to limit the hegemony of large platforms and to open markets to competition.

Brussels against Washington: Highlight around Digital Markets Act

But for Washington, Europe has crossed a red line. “This unique form of economic blackmail will not be tolerated by the United States”said a White House spokesman, denouncing “Extraterritorial regulations that specifically target and undermine American companies, stifle innovation and promote censorship”. An offensive tone, a reflection of an already tense climate since Donald Trump, faithful to his muscular habits, promised reprisals against any country attacking American economic interests.

Several elements stir up the embers of this crisis. The amount of fines imposed, although consistent, would actually be lower than that DMA allows. Some sources evoke a will of the European Commission to avoid provoking the Trump administration too much. But this strategy seems to have failed: the American president has not yet officially reacted, but his past declarations leave little doubt about his hostility in the face of any measure perceived as penalizing for American companies.

Apple and Google definitively ordered to pay record fines by Europe

For its part, Apple has already announced its intention to challenge the fine, launching an appeal procedure which could postpone the deadline, set at 60 days. And this is not the first time that the Cupertino firm has been found in the viewfinder of Brussels. Many people point out a preferential treatment granted to European actors, notably Spotify, regularly supported by the Commission against Apple Music.

European Commissioner Teresa Ribera, newly in charge of competition, has defended sanctions as “A strong and clear message”stressing that the DMA “Protects European consumers”. But in a context where the EU qualifies the reciprocal customs prices of Trump “Intimidation”confrontation is likely to get bogged down.

Europe and the United States seem to be engaged in a long battle for influence on the future of digital regulations. And behind the fines, it is a fight of economic hegemony that is played out, between defense of national interests and affirmation of competing models.