The US government is increasingly escalating tensions with the European Union (EU) over Big Tech fines, which have topped $7 billion since the start of 2024. Google, Apple, and Meta are contesting EU fines for violations of antitrust and competition laws, totalling over 6 billion euros. Both companies and the White House argue the fines reflect the EU's hostility to innovation, while the EU argues that its tough line is encouraging companies to make decisions that benefit consumers. The EU has also imposed six fines since 2024, including €1.84 billion under antitrust rules for Apple's misuse of its dominant position in the market for music streaming apps and €120 million under the Digital Services Act for breaching transparency obligations. The U.S. Department of Commerce also criticises the EU for overregulating its tech firms and jeopardising Europe's ability to benefit from the rise of AI. In February, President Donald Trump announced that the US would consider tariffs to combat digital service taxes (DSTs), fines, practices, and policies that foreign governments levy on American companies.