Donald Trump has responded to the EU's decision to charge Google with a record-breaking fine.
"I told you so!" the president tweeted. "The European Union just slapped a Five Billion Dollar fine on one of our great companies, Google. They truly have taken advantage of the U.S., but not for long!"
It is not clear which of Mr Trump's comments he believes was proved correct by the fine. The president is currently involved in a range of disputes with the EU, having referred to it as one of the US's "foes" as he continues a trade war.
The latter part of his tweet seems an explicit reference to the threat that new tariffs could be applied to goods such as imported cars. The EU has said that such a penalty would be "disastrous" and that it would be forced to respond in kind.
Google was hit by the $5 billion fine – the biggest ever issued to one company by a regulator – for forcing cellphone makers that use the company's Android operating system to install Google search and browser apps.
The European Union said Google's practices restrict competition and reduce choices for consumers.
While Google can easily afford the fine, the ruling could undermine the company's business model, which relies on giving away its operating system in return for opportunities to sell ads and other products.
Google immediately said it will appeal, arguing that its free operating system has led to lower-price phones and created competition with its chief rival, Apple.
Android has "created more choice for everyone, not less," Google CEO Sundar Pichai tweeted.
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