Trump Orders Trade Probe Over EU Google Fine

US President Donald Trump sharply criticized the European Commission's decision to fine Google €890m ($1bn) for violating EU rules designed to curb the power of large technology companies.

Trump called the decision illegal and unethical, accused the European Union of robbing American companies and announced that the United States would immediately launch an investigation under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974.

Washington uses the mechanism to investigate the trade practices of foreign partners it considers unfair or discriminatory.

Trump also warned that the European Union would pay a very high price for its decision. The dispute could further strain trade relations between the US and the EU, which have already clashed repeatedly over the regulation of American technology companies.

(Reuters, mja)