EU hits Google with US$3.45 billion fine, drawing tariff threat from Trump

Alphabet’s Google was hit with a €2.95 billion (US$3.45 billion) EU antitrust fine on Friday for anticompetitive practices in its lucrative adtech business, marking its fourth penalty in its decade-long fight with EU competition regulators.

The move by the European Commission was triggered by a complaint from the European Publishers Council and comes amid a threat by US President Donald Trump to retaliate against the European Union for any push against Big Tech.

The EU competition enforcer had originally planned to hand out the fine on Monday, but opposition from EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic over concerns about the impact of US tariffs on European cars derailed EU antitrust chief Teresa Ribera’s plan.

The commission said Google favoured its own online display technology services to the detriment of rivals and online publishers and that it has abused its market power since 2014 until today.

It ordered Google to stop the self-preferencing practices and take measures to cease its inherent conflicts of interest. The company has 60 days to tell the commission how it plans to comply with this order.

The commission reiterated its preliminary view that Google should divest part of its services but said it wants to first hear and assess Google’s compliance efforts.

  

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