White House Hits Back at Apple's Massive EU Fine

[MacRumors]

Apple's $570 million fine from the EU has triggered a sharp rebuke from the White House, which called the fine a form of economic extortion, Reuters reports.

The fine was announced on Wednesday by the European Commission, following a formal investigation into Apple's compliance with the bloc's Digital Markets Act (DMA), a landmark piece of legislation aimed at curbing the market dominance of so-called "gatekeeper" companies. According to the Commission, Apple violated the DMA by restricting developers from informing users about alternative payment options outside the App Store and by preventing the distribution of iOS apps through competing app marketplaces.

Speaking to Reuters, a spokesperson for the White House condemned the EU's actions, signaling growing transatlantic tensions over regulation of U.S. technology firms:

This novel form of economic extortion will not be tolerated by the United States. Extraterritorial regulations that specifically target and undermine American companies, stifle innovation, and enable censorship will be recognized as barriers to trade and a direct threat to free civil society.

Apple said it plans to appeal the decision. The company called it "another example of the commission unfairly targeting the company" with actions that are "bad for the privacy and security of our users." The penalties represent approximately 0.1% of each company's annual revenue, which is significantly below the potential maximum fine of 10% allowed under the DMA.

The ruling comes amid ongoing trade negotiations between the EU and the U.S., which could potentially add another layer of complexity to transatlantic tech regulations.

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Article Link: White House Hits Back at Apple's Massive EU Fine

 

[Dj64Mk7]

“economic extortion”?

Can this White House please, at minimum, tone down the inflammatory rhetoric? I get that it’s Trump’s whole thing to an extent, but the normalization of it just feels bad.

 

[TechRunner]

Tim's getting some mileage out of that million bucks, for sure!

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

Who backs down first?
Will be fascinating to watch.

 

[iPadified]

I assume the White House arguments go both ways, so EU companies are not exposed to tariffs? Yes?

 

[Kylo83]

thank you trump

 

[hagar]

As a EU citizen I’m happy with the freedom and choices that are the direct result of the DMA.

But as the EU and US have fundamentally different views on privacy, platform interoperability, consumer rights, … the best way forward is to develop our own tech.

Then EU citizens can choose between EU and US platforms. And there’s no need for fines anymore as the latter won’t have a gatekeeper function anymore.

 

[Lounge vibes 05]

“economic extortion”?

Can this White House please, at minimum, tone down the inflammatory rhetoric? I get that it’s Trump’s whole thing to an extent, but the normalization of it just feels bad.

You are joking, right?
Coming from this administration, “economic extortion” might as well be a compliment.
You are right that it is “bad”, but it’s almost been a decade of this. Expecting them to change now is like expecting Apple to start letting you install android freely.
Like you said, it’s “Trump’s whole thing”.

 

[Athonline]

Extraterritorial regulations that specifically target and undermine American companies, stifle innovation, and enable censorship will be recognized as barriers to trade and a direct threat to free civil society.

The irony is not lost here given that the US has been pushing for the economic sanctions, anti-boycott laws, foreign account reporting, etc worldwide. Even more so, the worldwide income tax to tax residents abroad. Not counting the obvious here: any organization doing business in the US has to comply with federal and state regulations.

As for the original fine: anyone could see that coming from a mile away given the malicious compliance.

 

[AndyUnderscoreR]

If US companies don't want to be fined for breaking the law, perhaps obeying the law would be a better strategy than risking it, getting caught and then having your president throw a tantrum about how it's 'not fair', like a 3 year-old who isn't allowed a second icecream.

 

[SanderEvers]

Very obvious action from the White House is very obvious indeed.

 

[sdz]

Just respect local laws and you don't get fined.

 

[Plutonius]

Just respect local laws and you don't get fined.

The EU has a right to implement their own laws / fines but why is Apple fined based on its total earnings rather than the earnings it makes in the EU ?

 

[DocMultimedia]

And tomorrow he'll say something different/opposite as he works on eliminating educational institutions. The babbling fool will just do whatever gets him more press for his idiocy and the war against America.

Or maybe just change tariffs again. Or stop a war. Or eliminate Medicare. Deport citizens.... Who knows.

 

[Godspeed8230]

The fact that just 0.1% equates to $570 million is telling in itself — the numbers say more than words ever could.

 

[CausticSoda]

I bet the EU is really scared! I mean, he has sure as hell showed China, hasn't he? What a tough guy... He's really making America Great!

 

[rp2011]

I agree with Rump on this. We have seen this play out over and over throughout the years. Apple, with a 30 percent market share, has been a constant target of the EU, knowing full well that they can extort whatever they can dream of, considering Apple's deep pockets.

 

[555gallardo]

Here in Eastern Europe, this president's way of speech is common between drunk, broken alcoholics.

 

[bollman]

The EU has a right to implement their own laws / fines but why is Apple fined based on its total earnings rather than the earnings it make in the EU ?

Because Apple's tax shenanigans make it look like they have no earnings in the EU?

 

[MacLawyer]

If US companies don't want to be fined for breaking the law, perhaps obeying the law would be a better strategy than risking it, getting caught and then having your president throw a tantrum about how it's 'not fair', like a 3 year-old who isn't allowed to a second icecream.

These "laws" are ad hoc tactics by cash hungry governments. If you actually read the DMA it becomes so evident that this is nothing more than targeting the US cash cow.

Speaking of money, when are EU nations going to start paying their fair share of NATO?

 

[frenchcamp49er]

I assume the White House arguments go both ways, so EU companies are not exposed to tariffs? Yes?

This is not a tariff, this is extortion

 

[darngooddesign]

...which called the fine a form of economic extortion

Always the hypocrites.

 

[DBZmusicboy01]

Tim's getting some mileage out of that million bucks, for sure!

All I want is for things to be like they were back in 2024. That’s all.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Always the hypocrites.
View attachment 2504922

Not the EU.

 

[Kylo83]

so happy I voted to leave the EU in the UK with brexit, the EU need shutting down