Donald Trump, erstwhile U.S. president and candidate for this position in the upcoming elections, issued a strong informing to countries entering the digital tax. In a sharp entry on the fact Social portal, he announced that if these discriminatory – in his opinion – measures were not immediately withdrawn, the United States would respond significant additional export duties from these countries and will introduce export restrictions for American technology and chips. This ultimatum can announce a global trade war, which in 2025 will drastically change the rules of the game on global markets, hitting the economies of many countries, including possibly Poland and the full European Union. Companies that trust on exports to the US or imports of key technological components must prepare for serious turbulence.
American technology companies targeted: What is the problem?
The key to knowing the current tension is the question of the alleged digital tax. Many countries, including any associate States of the European Union, have introduced or are considering introducing fees on the revenues of technology companies generated in their territory. This taxation aims to taxation the profits of digital giants, specified as Google, Amazon or Meta, which frequently declare their income in jurisdictions with lower taxation rates, despite generating crucial revenues in another countries. Donald Trump categorically opposes these actions, claiming that they are specifically designed to "To harm or discriminate against American technology". Moreover, the president-elect accuses that these measures "totally ignore the largest Chinese technology companies", which he considers outrageous and unfair. According to him, the United States and their innovative companies will no longer be a “world treasury or a pushover”.
Consequences for countries introducing digital taxation: Tariffs and restrictions
Donald Trump's threats are very circumstantial and immediate, highlighted in his communication by the word "TERAZ". The president announced that if countries do not quit “discriminatory measures”, the US will introduce ‘significant additional export duties’ from these countries to the United States. This means that goods produced in countries with a digital taxation and sent to the US marketplace will become more costly and little competitive. Additionally, Trump threatened to introduce "export restrictions on our highly protected technology and chips". This second point is peculiarly applicable in the context of global supply chains, especially for sectors based on advanced electronics and semiconductors. These restrictions can paralyze production in many sectors, from automotive to telecommunications, which are heavy dependent on American technological components.
Who will be affected? possible impact on Poland and Europe
Although Donald Trump did not mention circumstantial countries, his informing concerns all states that have introduced or are planning to introduce a digital tax. In Europe, where many countries, including France, Italy, Spain and Poland (which considered this option), have taken steps in this direction, these threats are peculiarly serious. Possible customs duties for exports to the US can hit Polish companies from different industries – from food processing, furniture processing, to device production. In turn restrictions on access to American technologies and chips may have disastrous effects on the Polish IT sector and industry, which is mostly based on imported components. These companies may face the challenge of uncovering alternate suppliers, which is frequently impossible in the short word or involves drastic increases in costs and delays in production.
Entrepreneurs must prepare: How do they respond to the threat?
Faced with specified circumstantial and urgent announcements, companies operating on global markets, especially those having trade relations with the US, should immediately take steps to measure risks. The key is monitoring political and commercial developments and analysis of possible impacts on supply chains and outlets. Companies exporting to the United States should consider diversifying markets or assessing the anticipation of transferring parts of production if duties become besides high. However, US technology and chip companies request to consider alternate sources of supply or hazard minimisation strategies before export restrictions come into force. Proactive planning is crucial to avoid operational paralysis and failure of competitiveness in 2025.
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Trump puts ultimatum to countries. Digital taxes mean powerful duties and the end of free exports!
