Donald Trump he goes back to raise it clash commercial with the European Union after maximum fine imposed on GoogleThe American president accused Brussels of having adopted "illegal and deeply unfair" conduct, warning that the EU "will pay a very high price" and announcing the launch of an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act. At the same time, the White House reiterated its intention to impose "heavy customs duties as soon as possible" if the restrictions are not revoked. fines against Big Tech.
The US administration's line had been anticipated by the US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, which had raised possible tariff retaliation after the Record fine imposed on Google“The United States is not Europe’s piggy bank and will not become one,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, calling the European measures against American companies a “robbery practice” and calling for their complete repeal.
Big Tech at the Center of the Clash Between Washington and Brussels
The arm wrestling focuses on the Digital Services Act (Dsa) and on Digital Markets Act(DMA), the two regulations with which the European Union aims to regulate the digital market and limit the power of large platforms. These very rules risk becoming the main point of contention between the two sides of the Atlantic in the coming months.
In Brussels, however, there is no animosity towards American companies. Commission European reiterates that the rules They are applied uniformly. "Today we gave TikTok a yellow card: our rules are impartial," a source from the European executive emphasized.
The EU rejects the accusations and defends its rules
The announcement of the new American investigation further fuels tensions between Washington and Brussels. In particular, the EU is contesting the use of Section 301 of the Trade Act, recalled by the Trump administration also for alleged European shortcomings in the fight against forced labor.
“The accusations are unfounded,” the High Representative of the European Union declared in Manila, Kaja kallas. Along the same lines, the spokesperson for the Commission, Paula Pinho“The European Union already has stringent rules in place and totally rejects the idea that it could be considered a contributing factor to the global problem of forced labor.”
New tariffs of up to 12,5% and appeal against the Trump administration
The new escalation is therefore added to the tariffs already announced by Washington, ranging between 10% and 12,5%, affecting over 60 countries. Brussels has acknowledged the measures, emphasizing that they are in line with the commitments made by the United States in the Turnberry Agreement, and expects Washington to continue to respect the EU-US joint declaration for any future trade measures. Meanwhile, London has downplayed the impact of the new tariffs, while China and Brazil have strongly contested them.
On the domestic front, the Trump administration also faces a new legal challengeTwo small businesses have filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of International Trade, arguing that the use of Section 301 of the Trade Act to impose the new round of tariffs is unlawful.
Trump reignites controversy: he sports a "2028" cap and jokes about a "fourth term."
During the traditional dinner with White House correspondents, the president joked about a new candidacy for the 2028 elections, wearing a red cap with the words “Trump 2028” and talking about a hypothetical “room mandate“, referring to his disputed reconstruction of the outcome of the 2020 elections.
During the event, Trump alternated conciliatory tones with new jabs at the media and political opponents. While reiterating his belief in freedom of the press While congratulating some award-winning journalists, there was no shortage of attacks on reporters and publications he disliked. The evening concluded with a provocative reference to 2028, accompanied by the clarification that it was a joke, but without quelling the controversy.
Trump raises the tone with Iran: between insults, threats and a timid glimmer of hope for dialogue.
The new trade escalation comes as the US administration also has to deal with the dossier Iran. According to Wall Street Journal, during a meeting in the Oval Office reportedly called the leaders of the Islamic Republic “scum” and “crazy,” as the administration weighs new military options in Middle EastThe president, who continues to maintain that "the Iran problem is disappearing day by day", has however left open one chink to diplomacy, stating that the United States is in contact with Tehran. At the same time, he reiterated that the Iranian regime "is not yet ready for an agreement," returning to threaten further actions military and confirming a line of strong pressure, with Washington also aiming to involve European allies to guarantee the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
