Press release: September 10, 2025
The Open Internet Project (OIP), Origine France Garantie, and the Forces Françaises de l'Industrie (FFI) acknowledge the European Commission's need to impose a new sanction on Google: a fine of €2.95 billion for abuse of a dominant position, this time in the online advertising market. This decision, the result of many years of investigations, demonstrates that the European Union is capable of defending competition and enforcing Community law in the face of a repeat offender who continually behaves as if it were above the law.
But as soon as this sanction was made public, Donald Trump opted for threats. Describing the fine as "unfair," he threatened Europe with trade retaliation via Section 301, an instrument of economic warfare that had already been used extensively against China. This brutal reaction illustrates the United States' desire to place its economic interests above European law and to punish any attempt at independent digital regulation.
This is not just a sentimental statement. It is an act of direct interference in European sovereignty. Threatening the Union for applying its own law amounts to challenging the autonomy of our institutions and an attempt to intimidate European regulators. It is an attack on the rule of law, but also on European citizens and businesses, who have the right to a fair market and fair competition.
Giving in to this pressure would amount to validating the idea that European rules are only valid if they please Washington. It would mean accepting that our digital future is dictated by the White House and Silicon Valley. This is an extremely serious precedent, because it would open the way to further interference: tomorrow, on the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, the AI Act, or any other initiative that would thwart the interests of American giants.
We solemnly call on the European Commission, the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the Member States to mount a firm and united response to American threats. Europe's future is at stake here and now. If it backs down today, it will permanently lose its strategic autonomy and its capacity for action.
About the OIP:
The Open Internet Project is a European association created in 2014 to combat abuses of dominant positions in the European digital market. It was involved in the "Google Shopping" case, which led the European Commission to impose a€2.4 billion fine on Google. More information at: www.openinternetproject.eu/
About Origine France Garantie:
Origine France Garantie is a non-profit association founded in 2010 which brings together all stakeholders who wish to participate in voluntary, innovative and transparent certification of the French origin of products and services.
For 10 years, the association has held the "Origine France Garantie" certification, which ensures the French origin of products through an independent audit. It is currently the only one to guarantee French origin at this level of requirement and thus differentiates itself from the less rigorous and less controlled "Made in France" certification. More than 3,000product ranges are now certified. Checks are then carried out each year to verify that the product is indeed 100%manufactured in France and at least 50% of the manufacturing costs (including raw materials) of the product are of French origin. Its mission is to defend and promote the French brand in all sectors of activity.
In October 2020, the association launched Service France Garanti, based on the same model, to guarantee that a service is actually provided in France. For consumers, it offers the opportunity to know the French origin of a product or service and therefore to be able to choose it with complete transparency. For businesses, it is a way to effectively promote the maintenance, development, or return of productive activities in France, both domestically and abroad. More information on: www.originefrancegarantie.fr
About Forces Françaises de l'Industrie:
The FFI is a club founded by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs, open to all those who want to help, support, and invest in the reindustrialisation of France. Founded in 2019 by Laurent Moisson, Gilles Attaf, and Emmanuel Deleau, it is driven by the conviction that the country's reindustrialisation will have positive consequences on many current societal issues.
Because it creates value-added jobs in our regions, it is the key to a better distribution of value. Because it is open to all profiles, it knows how to include them better than anyone. Because it knows how to transform itself and evolve the products it manufactures, it is one of the keys to decarbonising our consumption.
Since their creation, the FFI have opened clubs in 18 cities (across four countries), now has 600 members, developed a widely read online media outlet, and created investment vehicles and an accelerator. All are dedicated to SMEs and mid-cap companies made in France. More information: www.forcesfrancaisesdelindustrie.fr/
FFI and OFG Press Contact
Heda Inderbaeva, FLAG Agency
06 84 41 76 49 - heda@agenceflag.com
OIP Press Contact
Leonidas Kalogeropoulos, General Delegate
06 07 31 51 26 - lk@openinternetproject.eu
You can download the Press Release in French at the top of this page. / Vous pouvez télécharger le communiqué de presse en français en haut de cette page.