By Aaron Miller-
President Trump has re-ignited his criticism of the European Union on Thursday, in an attack against The EU over a record antitrust fine it levied against the Silicon Valley giant Google this week.
Mr. Trump has made no secret of the fact he is no fan of the 28-nation group, America’s biggest trading partner. He is against EU economic policies. and has openly added his voice to those pushing for a total break away of the Uk from the EU. Trump has imposed stiff tariffs on aluminum and steel imported from European Union companies, and is also considering placing similarly hefty levies on European cars and car parts.
Political relations between the U.S and the EU is at an all time low, despite the fact European Commission President, Jean Claude Juncker is to meet with mr.Trump next week. OnThursday, Mr. Trump said in a message posted on Twitter that the European Union’s $5.1 billion fine against Google, a punishment for its anticompetitive practices in the smartphone market, was a slap against “one of our great companies.”
“They truly have taken advantage of the U.S.,” Mr. Trump wrote, adding a suggestion of retribution to come. “but not for long!” The massive 4.34 billion euros fine was by far the largest ever handed down in Europe for antitrust violations, and was coupled with a demand that Google loosen its grip on its Android mobile operating system or risk further financial penalties.
The radical move is an attempt to crack down on American companies accused of malpractice across the region. Tougher rules on data privacy and competition have also been pursued, whilst a pending investigation into the tax practices of Silicon Valley firms. Affected firms insist they are being unfairly targeted, and President Trump is certainly treating this as some kind of covertly operated political confrontation which he intends to address head on.