The European Union recently delayed penalizing Apple and Meta Platforms, temporarily avoiding a conflict with the Trump administration during a week that saw the bloc ramp up its push for a trade deal with the U.S. , The Wall Street Journal reported.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, had initially planned to announce a cease-and-desist orders targeting the tech giants on Tuesday and had informed at least one of the companies of that timing, people familiar with the matter said. Both companies could also have been slapped with fines.
The decision to postpone the announcement was made shortly before EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met with officials in Washington on Monday, for his first in-person talks since President Trump announced a 90-day pause on some tariffs.
In addition, this week the Italian Prime Miniter Giorgia Meloni met with Trump, who said he would have “very little problem” making a trade deal with the EU.
AppleInsider reported: The European Union has reportedly postponed fining Apple and Meta over alleged Digital Markets Act violations, specifically so the decision would not affect trade negotiations.
In January 2025, it was reported that the EU appeared to have put its planned rulings and fines against Apple on hold. It was partly because key EU staff were being replaced, but also because the European Commission was waiting to assess what then-new Trump administration would do.
Subsequently, it was reported that the EU was planning to drastically reduce its fines against Apple and Meta, because of fears Trump would impost retaliatory tariffs. Now according to the Wall Street Jorunal, the EU has delayed fines still further.
“We’re currently working on the adoption of final decisions in the short term,” said a spokesperson.
However, reportedly. The European Commission told at least one of the two companies that it would be imposing fines on Thursday, April 15, 2025. The Commission was to deliver a cease-and-desist orders to both companies on that date.
Engadget reported: The European Commission (EC) reportedly delayed regulatory penalty announcements against Apple and Meta this week as it accelerates its push for a trade deal with the US.
On Friday, the Wall Street Journal said the move led to concern from European Parliament lawmakers that political factors are influencing the body’s regulatory decisions.
The EU is said ti have initially planned to announce cease-and-desist orders against Apple and Meta on Tuesday, and reportedly told at least one of the companies about the timing in advance.
The WSJ says the decision to postpone the announcement came shortly before EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič met with US officials in Washington on Monday, the official’s first in-person talks with the US since President Donald Trump’s 90-day tariff pause.
The EU’s timing here reeks of political theater—delaying actions against Apple/Meta just as trade talks begin feels less about accountability and more about leverage. While DMA enforcement is crucial, this ‘strategic pause’ undermines trust in regulatory impartiality. Could this backfire by fueling Big Tech’s narrative of EU overreach? Genuine question: Would staggered penalties (e.g., fines first, breakups later) have been more effective than optics-driven delays? Transparency matters when regulating giants.