Trump Threatens Tariffs on Nations Targeting US Tech Giants
Donald Trump has turned up the heat on countries imposing digital taxes and regulations against American tech powerhouses such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and Apple. In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump warned that if these “discriminatory actions” are not dropped, he will unleash heavy tariffs and slap export restrictions on US technology and chips.
Trump argued that these digital taxes — including the UK’s 2% Digital Services Tax (DST), which brings in nearly £800 million a year — unfairly target US companies while giving a free pass to China’s tech firms.
“As president, I will never allow other nations to attack our incredible American tech companies. If they continue, they will face serious economic consequences,” Trump declared.
This latest warning puts direct pressure on the UK and the European Union, both of which have tightened rules on big tech through measures like the Digital Services Act. Countries such as France, Spain, and Italy also enforce similar digital service taxes, further irritating Washington.
Trump’s frustration with these levies isn’t new. Back in February, he issued an executive order titled “Defending American Companies and Innovators from Overseas Extortion and Unfair Fines and Penalties”, threatening retaliatory tariffs. By April, reports suggested that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer even offered reduced DST rates for US firms in an attempt to ease tensions with Trump, though the tax remained in place for other nations.
Reaffirming his stance, Trump said:
“America is not the world’s piggy bank. Our technology companies will no longer be treated as a doormat. Show respect to the United States — or pay the price.”
The warning came shortly after a joint US-EU statement promising to address trade barriers, though Brussels quickly clarified it had no intention of softening its digital regulations. Meanwhile, Canada recently scrapped its digital services tax after Trump branded it a “direct attack” on US tech firms, a move widely seen as an effort to keep trade talks on track.
With Trump doubling down, the battle over digital taxes is shaping up to be a defining clash between Washington and its allies — one that could carry massive consequences for global trade and technology.
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"Trump threatens tariffs and export restrictions on countries targeting US tech giants like Google, Apple, and Amazon over digital taxes and unfair regulations."