The U.S. Trade Representative on Dec. 16 warned it may take retaliatory action against EU service providers if it deems their behavior discriminatory. The notice, posted on X, accused the EU and some member states of “discriminatory and harassing” lawsuits, taxes, fines and directives while pointing out that EU firms operate freely in the U.S. The warning followed an EU fine on Elon Musk's X platform and noted U.S. law allows fees or restrictions on foreign services if responsive measures are needed.
U.S. Threatens Retaliatory Measures Against EU After Fine on Elon Musk's X
Illustration shows teenagers pose for a photo while holding smartphones in front of a X logo
WASHINGTON, Dec 16 — The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on Tuesday warned that the Trump administration could impose a broad range of retaliatory measures against European Union service providers if it determines those firms or governments are taking discriminatory actions against U.S. services.
In a post on X, the USTR accused the EU and some member states of pursuing what it called “discriminatory and harassing lawsuits, taxes, fines and directives against U.S. services,” while noting that many EU-based service companies operate freely in the United States. The post cited several companies as examples, including Accenture, DHL, Siemens and Spotify.
“If the EU and EU Member States insist on continuing to restrict, limit, and deter the competitiveness of U.S. service providers through discriminatory means, the United States will have no choice but to begin using every tool at its disposal to counter these unreasonable measures,” the USTR wrote.
The warning followed a decision earlier this month by EU tech regulators to fine Elon Musk's social media platform X. In its statement, the USTR reiterated that U.S. law permits responsive actions — including the assessment of fees or the imposition of restrictions on foreign services — should such measures be necessary.
The USTR also named other EU service providers in its post, such as Amadeus, Capgemini, Mistral, Publicis and SAP, signaling that a range of sectors could be affected if Washington moves forward with countermeasures. The office framed the step as a defense of the competitiveness of U.S. service providers abroad.
(Reporting by Ryan Patrick Jones; writing by Susan Heavey; editing by Costas Pitas)
