President Trump posted a warning on Truth Social threatening substantial additional tariffs on countries that impose digital taxes, legislation, rules, or regulations he deems discriminatory, unless those actions are removed. Major US tech firms such as Meta, X and Google maintain European bases in Ireland and fall under the Irish Data Protection Commission. The administration is also weighing sanctions, including visa restrictions, on EU or member-state officials tied to the Digital Services Act amid US complaints the law censors Americans and burdens US tech companies. Officials have held internal meetings but have not finalized any punitive measures, and tensions with the EU are already strained by tariff threats and criticism of treatment of US tech.
Major tech companies including Meta, X and Google have their European bases in Ireland, meaning they fall under the remit of the Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC). "I put all Countries with Digital Taxes, Legislation, Rules, or Regulations, on notice that unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional Tariffs on that Country's Exports to the USA," Mr Trump said in the post.
Trump's administration is also considering imposing sanctions on EU or member state officials responsible for implementing the bloc's landmark Digital Services Act, two sources familiar with the matter said, over US complaints that the law censors Americans and imposes costs on US tech companies. Such a move would be an unprecedented action that would escalate the Trump administration's fight against what it sees as Europe's attempt to suppress conservative voices.
Collection
[
|
...
]