Zuckerberg asks Trump to prevent U.S. companies from paying EU fines.

Mark Zuckerberg has urged elected President Donald Trump to intervene to halt the sanctions imposed by the European Union on U.S. companies for alleged violations of competition laws, data protection, and other regulations of the bloc. During an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, Zuckerberg expressed that he believes the presence of strong companies in the United States is a strategic advantage and that defending this should be part of the country's national strategy.

Since 2022, Meta has faced fines amounting to approximately 2.619 billion euros ($2.67 billion) solely for violations of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Additionally, at the end of 2024, the company was fined 797.72 million euros ($813.71 million) for violations of EU antitrust regulations.

Zuckerberg compared the EU's competition and data protection regulations to tariffs imposed on U.S. companies, an argument that resonates with Trump's recent threats of imposing high tariffs on imported goods. However, if Trump were to consider Zuckerberg's request, which seems unlikely, U.S. companies would not have to comply with the regulations that do affect those operating within the EU territory. This could result in sanctions and restrictions that would limit U.S. companies' business opportunities in the European market.

With Trump's electoral victory, several companies have begun making large donations to his inauguration fund in an attempt to win his favor, with Meta among those donating $1 million. Zuckerberg, who began his social media career with a site to rate the physical appearance of Harvard students, mentioned in his conversation with Rogan that his intention has always been to give voice to people. He also announced that Facebook and Instagram would eliminate fact-checking services, deeming them “too politically biased.”

In a subsequent message, Zuckerberg indicated that the recent elections represent a “cultural turning point” that returns the focus to freedom of speech. Instead, Meta's platforms will begin adopting a community rating system, similar to that used on X (formerly Twitter), and it has been reported that diversity, equity, and inclusion programs will be discontinued.

For his part, the UK Secretary of Technology, Peter Kyle, has stated that the new Online Safety Bill "is non-negotiable." In an interview, Kyle maintained that access to British society and economy is a privilege, not a right, and that basic protections for children and vulnerable individuals should not be negotiated.