Brussels should prepare for further punitive measures from Washington following the European Commission's €890 million fine on Google, according to Bernd Lange, the German Socialist MEP who chairs the European Parliament's trade committee.
Speaking to Euronews, Lange said the bloc must anticipate action from the United States after US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer described the penalty as 'unreasonable' and accused the EU of creating 'uncertainty' for transatlantic commerce. The fine, imposed under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), targets Google's self-preferencing practices and is part of a broader EU push to curb Big Tech's dominance.
Lange noted that both the DMA and the Digital Services Act (DSA) remain in Washington's crosshairs. 'To be honest, I expect that some action will come,' he said, adding that the EU should not be caught off guard.
The transatlantic trade relationship has been strained since Donald Trump's return to the White House. In July 2025, the EU and US signed a deal in Scotland that set US tariffs on EU goods at 15% while removing EU duties on American products. Brussels had hoped this agreement would shield European businesses from erratic tariff threats, but Washington unveiled a new tariff regime on Thursday targeting trading partners—including the EU—over forced labour.
Lange dismissed the forced labour rationale as 'crazy,' pointing out that the EU has stringent regulations in this area. 'We have a wonderful legislation, even stronger than the United States has,' he said. The new US tariffs are set to replace the Scotland deal, which expires on Friday, and the EU had been prepared to accept them as long as they stayed within the 15% cap.
Legal Challenges and Congressional Hopes
Lange expressed optimism that the new US tariffs could be challenged in American courts. 'I guess the courts in the United States will judge about that,' he said. He also voiced hope that after the November midterm elections, the US Congress would reclaim its constitutional authority over trade policy, as outlined in Article 1, Paragraph 8 of the US Constitution.
The DMA has been a recurring point of contention between Brussels and Washington. The EU argues it is necessary to ensure fair competition in digital markets, while US officials see it as a discriminatory burden on American tech giants. The Google fine is the latest flashpoint in this ongoing dispute, and Lange's comments suggest that the EU is bracing for a broader confrontation.
For context, the EU has also recently approved its 21st sanctions package against Russia, further complicating transatlantic relations. Meanwhile, the bloc continues to navigate internal challenges, including budget constraints amid enlargement discussions, as highlighted by Germany's Europe Minister.
Lange's warning underscores the fragility of the current trade framework. While the Scotland deal provided a temporary reprieve, the new US tariff regime—and the EU's response—will shape the future of transatlantic economic ties. The coming months, including the US midterms, will be critical in determining whether trade policy returns to a more predictable, rules-based system.
