The fines on Apple and Meta make the United States angry with Europe

The European Commission recently imposed severe sanctions on Apple and Meta, marking a significant moment in the trade relations between the United States and the European Union.

Apple has been fined 500 million euros, while Meta will have to pay 200 million for practices that, according to Brussels, violate the competition rules set out in the Digital Markets Act.

Both companies have expressed that they consider the sanctions unfair and have indicated their intention to appeal.

Tariffs are the great danger of this historic fine

This situation is exacerbated at a time when relations between the U.S. and the EU were already marked by volatility, a consequence of tariff policies implemented during Donald Trump’s administration.

The White House has labeled the Digital Markets Act as “discriminatory”, suggesting that it is designed to favor small businesses at the expense of large U.S. tech corporations.

A spokesperson for the U.S. government warned that any country that attacks major tech companies could face retaliation. Although the current climate shows signs of tension, with Donald Trump reconsidering some tariffs, the current situation could trigger new restrictions or tariffs on European products, in response to the imposed sanctions.

In this context, the debate over regulation and market dominance in the digital age becomes increasingly relevant. The leaders of both entities, Apple and Meta, have the opportunity to legally argue the legitimacy of their practices.

The decisions made on this front could have significant implications not only for their operations but also for the future of international trade and technological regulation.