EU Bows to Trump's Influence? Reassessing Big Tech Investigations

The European Union is reevaluating its investigations into tech giants, including Apple, Meta, and Google. According to a report by the Financial Times, this review encompasses all cases initiated under the EU Digital Markets Act (DMA) since March of last year. The review could lead to a narrowing or alteration of the scope of these investigations. 

A senior EU diplomat briefed on the matter stated, These tech oligarchs have close ties to Trump and are leveraging that relationship to pressure us, claiming that the EU is overly zealous in enforcement. 

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly appealed to President-elect Trump to block EU penalties against U.S. tech firms, citing that EU regulators have imposed over $30 billion in fines on them in the past 20 years.

Delays Amid Political Reassessment

EU officials have indicated that all decisions and potential fines will be paused until the review is completed, though technical work on the cases will continue. Brussels regulators are currently awaiting political directives before making final rulings on cases involving Google, Apple, and Meta.

Margrethe Vestager of Denmark and Thierry Breton of France, both known for their tough stance on U.S. tech companies, exited the European Commission last November. One source noted, Priorities might be shifting. The [digital rules] originated from the previous commission.

EU's Official Stance

Despite the apparent recalibration, the European Commission maintains that it is fully committed to effectively enforcing its rules. An EU spokesperson stated that there has been no delay in closing established infringement cases, particularly not for political reasons. 

The spokesperson emphasized that ongoing cases remain in the technical phase due to their complexity, novelty, and the need to ensure that Commission decisions are legally robust.