In a recent podcast appearance, former President Donald Trump claimed that he received a phone call from Apple’s chief executive Tim Cook, who expressed concerns about the European Union’s recent financial penalties on the tech giant. According to Mr. Trump, Mr. Cook informed him about a $15 billion fine from the EU, followed by an additional $2 billion penalty, totaling a hefty $17-18 billion fine.
The EU’s highest court upheld accusations that Ireland had given Apple illegal tax advantages, resulting in the tech company being ordered to pay €13 billion in unpaid taxes. Mr. Cook described the Commission’s findings as “political” and claimed that Ireland was being unfairly targeted.
Mr. Trump stated that he assured Mr. Cook that he would not allow the EU to take advantage of American companies, but acknowledged that he needed to be elected first. The former president has been actively seeking support from prominent tech figures, with Elon Musk and other tech leaders criticizing the EU’s regulatory approach towards their platforms.
The EU has implemented strict rules and requirements for tech firms operating in the region, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA). These regulations aim to rein in powerful tech companies and protect users from harmful content.
Apple has raised concerns about the DMA, claiming that opening up services like its app store to third parties could have negative consequences for users. The EU’s recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) Act has also created uncertainty for tech firms, requiring more transparency about data used to train AI models.
Overall, the relationship between tech giants like Apple and the EU remains complex, with ongoing debates about regulation and compliance with EU laws. The outcome of these discussions could have significant implications for the tech industry as a whole.
