Summary
The European Commission is expected to issue its first fines under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) this week, targeting Apple and Meta for violations related to app store restrictions and data use terms.
The decision comes amid rising U.S.-EU trade tensions, with Washington preparing new tariffs and accusing Brussels of unfairly targeting American firms.
While EU officials emphasize regulatory enforcement, not retaliation, political and trade implications loom large.
Apple and Meta lobbied against the fines, while Spotify and other rivals supported enforcement. U.S. countermeasures could begin April 2.
Casual reminder that the DMA is not about trade wars, but monopolies
“This is not just about fines — it’s about the Commission kneecapping successful American businesses simply because they’re American, while letting Chinese and European rivals off the hook,”…
Um, Apple and Meta have no rivals, at least not in terms of reach, profitability, and power. That’s the problem.
