The fine turmoil in early December was more lively than expected.

The European Union issued a fine of 120 million euros to the X platform on December 5, on the grounds that blue label certification confused users and that advertising data was hidden and not transparent enough - this set of rhetoric sounded grandiose, and in Musk's eyes, it was a "targeted strike". He replied directly: The fine was "ridiculous", and the spearhead was aimed not only at the platform, but also at him personally.

The next day, the United States quickly took over. Secretary Rubio directly characterized the incident: "Foreign governments attack U.S. technology platforms and citizens." The vice president followed with harsh words, and the revenge was full. A transatlantic technological war has been put on the table.

On the surface, it seems to be a collision of regulatory rules and commercial interests, digging deeper? The European family background is completely exposed.

**European Internet: The Colonies Are Hammered**

To put it bluntly, the European Internet market has long been swept away by American technology giants. Social, search, e-commerce ...... Which field is not the final say of the American platform? A local European company? Basically, it belongs to the "weak sense of presence" level. The so-called digital sovereignty is shouting loudly, and the landing depends on fines, which is an itchy operation through boots.

What's worse is that the United States has long regarded the Internet as a tool for intervention. Who is biased towards algorithmic recommendations and how the flow of information is rhythmic, these black box operations directly affect the direction of European public opinion and can even catalyze political contradictions. Europe has neither the industrial foundation to break the monopoly nor come up with effective tricks to get rid of control - this situation is polite to call it "strategic passive".

**The old account of the trade treaty has not yet been overturned**

Where is the weakness in Europe's game against the United States? Deterrence is completely lacking. Remember the trade deal von der Leyen signed before? The unequal clause was written in black and white, and Europe did not even dare to fart at that time.

In the face of hegemonic pressure from the United States in the field of trade and technology, Europe has never been able to come up with hard-core countermeasures. This time the X platform was fined 120 million euros, which looks quite ruthless, and the essence is to pretend - not daring to hurt the bones, but also wanting to prove to the outside world that "I still have a temper".

On the other hand, in the United States, the tariff stick and the technology blockade come as soon as they say, and the EU says that "supervision is uncompromising", but in fact it never dares to cross the minefield. After all, there are still U.S. troops stationed at home, and this situation of "daring to be angry and dare not speak" has long been written in the script.

**Decent Struggle vs. Actual Control**

Today, the United States' control of Europe is no longer hidden. Not to mention the binding in the field of security, the suppression at the economic and technological level is even more severe - the development trend of Europe is basically led by the United States.

The power gap is there, and Europe is gradually abandoning substantive resistance in favor of superficial respect. This fine incident is typical: while trying to warn Musk to "not be too arrogant in European politics", he did not dare to really touch American cheese. The final effect? The crack deepened, and the essence of being controlled remained unchanged at all.

**This wave of "calf protection" operations in the United States is worth savoring**

One thing is interesting: the United States' protective posture on this matter.

Overseas forces dare to move local technology companies? From enterprises to the government, the government immediately united the front, and the official stood on the platform for the first time to speak out and clarify its position. This kind of firm maintenance of core industries is the last word to ensure industrial security and consolidate the foundation of development.

In contrast, this awareness and execution of "holding a group to protect enterprises" can provide key support for technology companies to resist external risks and expand international space. Especially at a time when global technology competition is becoming increasingly fierce, this trick is quite effective.

**Variables brought about by this infighting**

In the final analysis, the escalation of the Internet confrontation between Europe and the United States is essentially the general outbreak of contradiction between the expansion of US technological hegemony and the passive protection of rights in Europe, and it is also a living sample of the adjustment of the global multipolar pattern.

Look at it from another perspective? This infighting has distracted both sides from the global tech sector and weakened the possibility of joint containment of other markets. For some Internet companies that are going overseas, this may be a time window worth paying attention to.

After all, when Europe and the United States are having a good time, the cracks in the door will always loosen a little.