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By Shivansh Tiwary
(Reuters) - Republican U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump said he received a call from Apple CEO Tim Cook over concerns about the financial penalties that have been imposed by the European Union on the iPhone maker.
Apple did not respond to a request seeking confirmation of the authenticity of the phone call.
European regulators have launched a series of investigations into Big Tech firms in recent years, with the aim of curbing their power and ensuring a level playing field for smaller rivals.
"Two hours ago, three hours ago, he (Cook) called me," Trump said, while speaking with podcaster Patrick Bet-David in a program that was released on Thursday. "He said the European Union has just fined us $15 billion. ... Then on top of that they got fined by the European Union another $2 billion," Trump added, quoting his call with Cook.
Last month, Apple lost a long-running court battle with the European Union, resulting in Apple's being forced to pay 13 billion euros ($14.08 billion) in back taxes to Ireland, as part of a wider crackdown. Earlier this year, the company was hit with a $2 billion EU antitrust fine for thwarting competition from music streaming rivals via restrictions on its App Store.
"Tim, I got to get elected first. ... But I'm not going to let them take advantage of our companies. That won't be happening," Trump quoted himself as saying to Cook, during the nearly 90-minute podcast appearance.
Trump and Democrat Kamala Harris are locked in a close race to win the Nov. 5 presidential election.
($1 = 0.9234 euros)
(Reporting by Shivansh Tiwary in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie Adler))
