The EU has postponed the adoption of restrictive measures against American IT corporations

The European Union (EU) has decided to postpone the introduction of restrictive measures against the American companies Apple and Meta (recognized as extremist and banned in the Russian Federation) in order not to aggravate relations with the White House amid negotiations on a new trade agreement. This was reported on April 18 by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

"The European Union recently postponed the imposition of sanctions against Apple and Meta Platforms, temporarily avoiding conflict with the administration of [US President Donald] Trump in the week when the bloc intensified its efforts to conclude a trade deal with the United States," the publication said.

According to the newspaper, the European Commission initially planned to send instructions to Apple and Meta on Tuesday to eliminate violations of the EU Digital Markets Act and notified at least one of the corporations. The publication notes that Brussels may oblige companies to pay monetary fines.

It is indicated that the exact timing of the adoption of restrictive measures against Apple and Meta has not yet been announced. However, they will probably become known soon, the newspaper writes.

Earlier, on November 14, 2024, the EC fined the American Meta corporation almost €800 million for violating the rules of competition in advertising on its Facebook social network (banned in Russia). The European Commission found out that the corporation had abused its position in violation of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.