The European Union has delayed fining Apple and Meta over the two firms’ alleged Digital Markets Act violations. The EU is said to be delaying specifically due to fears that the fines would affect trade negotiations.
In January 2025, the EU appeared to have put its planned rulings and fines against Apple on hold. This was partly due to key EU staff being replaced, but also due to a desire by the European Commission to assess what the incoming Trump administration would do.
Subsequently, it was reported that the EU was planning to greatly reduce its fines against Apple and Meta, due to fears of retaliatory tariffs by Trump. Now according to a report from the Wall Street Journal, the EU will further delay any fines.
“We’re currently working on the adoption of final decisions in the short term,” said a spokesperson.
The European Commission had reportedly informed at least one of the two companies that it would be imposing fines on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The Commission was also planning to deliver cease-and-desist orders to both firms on the same date.
However, just ahead of EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic, and separately Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni meetings with Trump, the EU reportedly decided to postpone announcing the fines, and a committee meeting scheduled for Monday was also delayed.
The European Union’s tactic appears to have worked, as President Trump has reportedly told officials that he’d have “very little problem” making a trade deal with the EU.
