Donald Trump has said the United States will investigate the European Union and may impose new tariffs in response to regulatory fines on major American technology companies. The threat escalates tensions over EU competition enforcement and could further complicate trade relations between Washington and Brussels.

The comments followed a European Commission fine of €890m ($1bn) against Google for conduct alleged to have restricted competition. Trump also cited scrutiny of Apple, Meta and Amazon, demanded that fines be reversed, and said Europe would pay a “very big price”, though he gave no details of the proposed investigation or tariff.