During Donald Trump’s presidency, Meta’s new head of international affairs, Joel Kaplan, emphasized the company’s readiness to address concerns over EU digital regulations that might harm its services. Kaplan, a Republican with ties to Trump’s circle, aims to strengthen Meta’s influence in U.S. government discussions. The company is also shifting its focus away from diversity initiatives and facing significant EU fines. Trump has expressed sympathy for American tech firms like Meta and Apple regarding these penalties, viewing them as unfair taxation.
During Donald Trump’s presidency, Meta appears to be banking on a strong ally to safeguard its global interests. This sentiment was echoed by Joel Kaplan, the newly appointed head of international affairs for the tech giant, during a recent address at the Munich Security Conference on February 16, 2025, as reported by Bloomberg.
Meta’s Stance on EU Regulations
Kaplan made it clear that Meta is prepared to voice its concerns to the U.S. government if the European Union’s digital regulation policies negatively impact its services and products. He stated, “When companies are treated differently and discriminatorily, it is appropriate to inform the government of the concerned company.” Despite this assertive stance, he also expressed a desire to operate within the frameworks established by European laws, emphasizing Meta’s commitment to compliance.
Building Bridges with the Trump Administration
Joel Kaplan, who took over the role in January 2025, replacing Nick Clegg, is viewed as a strategic asset by Meta to advocate its position with the American government. A Republican and former deputy chief of staff for policy during George W. Bush’s presidency, Kaplan has reportedly reached out to Trump’s inner circle. His Republican background places him in a favorable position to promote Meta’s interests at the highest levels of government.
Meta has been actively cultivating relationships in anticipation of the new administration. Notably, Mark Zuckerberg has dined with Trump, congratulated him on his return to power, and joined in the celebrations during the inauguration, aligning himself with other tech leaders such as those from Google, Apple, and Amazon. This engagement has been interpreted as a strategic move towards allegiance with the administration.
Moreover, Meta has shifted its focus away from diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, mirroring trends seen across other tech firms in Silicon Valley. The company has also toned down its media fact-checking efforts, opting for a system akin to X (formerly Twitter). Zuckerberg has even called for a resurgence of “masculine energy” within the organization.
As Meta navigates these changes, it faces considerable financial penalties imposed by the EU, which have accumulated to nearly 3 billion euros since 2018 due to competition and privacy law violations. The most recent fine, levied in mid-November, amounted to 800 million euros for anti-competitive practices related to its online advertising service, Marketplace. These fines are often contested in court, resulting in prolonged legal disputes.
To rally support from Trump regarding these EU sanctions, Meta may also find an ally in Apple. In fact, Trump revealed in October that he received a call from Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, who expressed similar grievances about EU penalties affecting his company. Trump’s awareness of these issues came to light when he remarked, “These are American companies […] As far as I’m concerned, this is a form of taxation. We have very large complaints to make against the EU.”