The EU should "put taxation on the table for US digital companies" as a tool for exerting force on the US if the customs agreement fails said Jens Spahn, MP for the Bundestag of the winner in the election block of Christian Democrats and the Christian-Social Union (CDU/CSU).
"I think it is now crucial to act in a balanced manner to not escalate the situation, but to make it clear that if we do not scope the common denominator, we will besides take action and show that the taxation of digital companies Amazon, Meta, Apple, all this is being considered," said Spahn in an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio station.
He stressed that if we look at the trade deficit, Europe exports more to the US than the US to Europe, but erstwhile it comes to services, including digital services, the situation is different, but "no 1 wants to hear about it in Washington."
"The European home marketplace is larger than the US... And companies in the US are partially dependent on it, especially in the digital sector. Therefore, I think it is right to put this tool on the table," he added.
US president Donald Trump signed an implementing regulation on Wednesday imposing "mutual" customs duties on imports from another countries. The basic minimum rate will be 10 percent. At the same time, most countries will gotta face higher rates, which, as the U.S. Trade typical explained, have been calculated on the basis of data on the United States trade deficit with the country afraid – so that there is balance alternatively of deficit. For example, imports from EU countries will be subject to a work of 20%.
The EU intends to introduce remedies against US import duties in stages 15 April and 15 May, said Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič at a press conference following the EU Council gathering on trade.
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Mr Bundestag urges the EU to impose taxes on US digital companies
