“Tim Cook (Apple) called me to complain about the EU”: Donald Trump rekindles tensions with Europe

© Shutterstock/Presse-citron

In the midst of the election campaign, Donald Trump is not short of making sensational statements. In an interview with PBD Podcast, the former American president said that the CEO of Apple had complained about the European Union's behavior towards tech giants.

According to him, Tim Cook himself contacted him to discuss the recent fines imposed on the company by the European Union. Donald Trump claims that Tim Cook informed him of two separate fines: one for $15 billion and another for $2 billion.

Apple fined by Europe?

These numbers, while impressive, are not entirely accurate. In fact, the EU recently won a legal battle to force Apple to pay $14.4 billion in unpaid taxes. And last March, the company was fined about $2 billion for restricting music streaming apps’ ability to inform customers about cheaper subscription deals outside the App Store.

Trump’s reaction to these reports is typical of his “America First” rhetoric. “I'm not gonna let them take advantage of our businesses – it's not gonna happen, you know” he said. This aggressive stance towards the EU is not new for the former president, who often criticized European trade practices during his term.

These statements, however, raise concerns about the potential impact on US-EU trade relations if Donald Trump were to be re-elected. The European Union, which has strengthened its competition and data protection regulations in recent years (DMA and DSA), could find itself facing a US administration hostile to these efforts.

GAFAM in the EU's sights

These fines imposed on Apple are not isolated cases. The EU has conducted numerous investigations into the practices of US technology giants, including Google, Amazon and Meta. The moves are part of a push to regulate the tech sector and protect European consumers after years of big nonsense.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

The reported conversation between Trump and Cook also raises questions about the relationship between political leaders and the CEOs of big tech companies. Trump mentioned recent conversations with other Silicon Valley executives, including Google boss Sundar Pichai and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

These interactions underscore the growing influence of tech companies in the political sphere and raise questions about the separation between business interests and government policy.

US Elections Decisive for the Future of Big Tech

The timing of these revelations is significant, as they come at a time when the race for the US presidency is intensifying. Donald Trump's comments are clearly intended to reaffirm his position as a defender of American interests (America First) in the face of what he perceives as foreign threats.

Problem: These statements risk being perceived as provocative and could strengthen the EU’s determination to continue its efforts to regulate the tech sector. European officials have often stressed that their actions are aimed at creating a fair digital environment and protecting consumer rights, rather than specifically targeting US companies. Moreover, other digital giants from China are also under investigation. This is the case, for example, with TikTok.

The outcome of the US presidential election could have significant implications for the future of US-EU relations, particularly in the area of ​​technology regulation. A victory for Donald Trump could signal a return to a more confrontational policy towards the EU. On the contrary, Kamala Harris' program is part of the same dynamic as that of Europe.

Following these statements, Apple has remained silent for the moment.

• Donald Trump claims Apple's Tim Cook contacted him about EU fines, vowing to 'not let EU take advantage of our businesses' if he is re-elected.
• These statements raise concerns about future trade relations between the United States and the EU, particularly in the technology sector.
• Apple has not yet commented on this media release

📍 To not miss any Presse-citron news, follow us on Google News and WhatsApp.

[ ]