Meta Platforms Inc. is prepared to seek support from US President Donald Trump if the European Union applies its digital regulations in a way that targets the company’s products, according to Bloomberg.
Joel Kaplan, Meta’s newly appointed head of global affairs and a long-time Republican strategist, stated at the Munich Security Conference that the Trump administration should assess whether EU-imposed fines on American technology firms are unfair. He noted that Meta would make its case should it perceive discrimination in regulatory enforcement.
“When companies are treated differently and in a way that is discriminatory against them, then that should be highlighted to that company’s home government,”
Kaplan said in response to a question from Stephanie Flanders, head of economics and government coverage at Bloomberg, during a panel discussion in Munich on Sunday.
Kaplan’s comments follow a broader trend in Trump’s approach to EU trade policies. During a past appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Trump criticised EU fines against US tech firms, calling them a “form of taxation” and citing “some very big complaints” against the bloc.
Meta’s position reflects the company’s ongoing efforts to navigate shifting political landscapes following Trump’s return to office. The company recently agreed to pay Trump $25 million as part of a legal settlement related to the banning of his social media accounts after the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. This move signals an attempt by the tech giant to mend relations with the administration.
Kaplan emphasised that Meta intends to comply with European regulations but will push back when it perceives unfair treatment. “While we want to operate within the laws that Europe has enacted—and we always will—we will point out when we believe we have been treated unfairly,” he said.
The EU’s regulatory framework for digital markets, including the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and Digital Services Act (DSA), has imposed stringent obligations on major tech firms, particularly those designated as “gatekeepers.” These laws aim to curb anti-competitive practices and enhance consumer rights, but US tech firms have frequently contested their implementation.
Meta has been a focal point of EU regulatory actions, accumulating over €2.8 million in fines solely for breaches of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The company is also under continued scrutiny for allegedly failing to safeguard minors on its platform. Earlier this month, Meta confirmed plans to allow third-party competitors access to its Facebook Marketplace in the EU, a move prompted by an antitrust penalty.
Trump’s administration could bring renewed scrutiny to these regulations, potentially framing them as trade barriers against American companies. Whether this will lead to formal action remains uncertain, but Meta’s willingness to escalate the issue signals a confrontation between Washington and Brussels over digital policy.
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