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Meta is preparing to take on the European Union’s strict digital regulations, and it’s looking to former US President Donald Trump for support. The social media giant’s global policy director, Joel Kaplan, made it clear that Meta won’t hesitate to bring the issue to Trump’s administration if it believes the EU is unfairly targeting its platforms.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Kaplan, who took over Meta’s global affairs role in January, suggested that Washington should assess whether the EU’s heavy fines on US tech firms amount to unfair treatment. He argued that companies facing discrimination should alert their home government, reinforcing the idea that Meta could push for diplomatic intervention if necessary.
EU’s digital clampdown puts Meta under pressure
The EU has been tightening its grip on major tech firms with a series of strict digital laws, particularly on content moderation, data protection, and market competition. Meta, which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, has already been hit with over €2 billion in fines for violating antitrust and privacy regulations. On top of that, the company is now under investigation for potentially failing to protect minors under the EU’s new Digital Services Act.
Kaplan acknowledged that Meta is committed to complying with European laws but maintained that the company would challenge penalties it considers unjust. He also voiced concerns that the EU’s regulations on social media could restrict free expression, aligning with US Vice President JD Vance’s recent remarks about European policies limiting online speech.
Trump’s trade agenda and the EU dispute
Trump has previously criticised the EU’s approach to tech regulations, calling them a “form of taxation” on American businesses. During a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos last month, he pointed to “big complaints” about the EU’s treatment of US tech giants, a stance that Meta could now capitalise on as it looks to push back against European regulators.
The tension between US and European officials was evident in Munich, where Vance took aim at EU social media laws, accusing them of suppressing far-right voices, particularly on issues like migration. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz strongly rejected these claims, calling them an unacceptable interference in Europe’s democratic process.
Meta’s next move in the AI and Data Regulation battle
Beyond content moderation, Meta is also at odds with the EU over artificial intelligence. The company has signalled reluctance to sign the bloc’s proposed AI code of conduct, which aims to regulate advanced AI models. Kaplan criticised Europe’s regulatory approach, arguing that success shouldn’t be measured by the size of fines imposed on companies. He warned that excessive rules could put Europe’s digital economy at a “tremendous disadvantage” compared to other regions.
As Meta braces for more regulatory scrutiny in Europe, its willingness to seek political backing from the US signals an escalation in the transatlantic tech dispute. Whether Trump’s administration would intervene on Meta’s behalf remains to be seen, but with billions in fines at stake, the battle between Big Tech and the EU is far from over.
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