EU countries are harming European competitiveness by bowing to Trump on global minimum tax
Dear friends!
If I didn’t believe so strongly in Europe, I would be despairing: just last week, the EU Commission finally imposed penalties on US corporations Apple and Meta for distorting competition, only to do exactly the opposite this week and throw the European economy under the bus.
What happened?
Today it was announced that EU member states are considering exempting US companies from the global minimum tax in order to appease Trump. The 15% global minimum tax for companies was a huge success in the fight against unfair tax practices and for fair global trade. Negotiated by the OECD, 140 countries around the world agreed to it in 2021. Most EU countries have already implemented it. The US, however, has not, even under Biden. And Trump has already decided to pull out.
But so far, this has not been a major problem, because the global agreement on the minimum tax also stipulates that companies such as those in the US that do not pay the minimum tax can then be taxed by countries such as the EU countries as a substitute. So, if a multinational company does not pay the minimum tax in the US, an EU country can levy it. It is precisely this ‘undertaxed profits rule’ that the EU countries now want to get rid of.
This would be bad news for the competitiveness of European companies and would put them at a disadvantage compared to US companies.
This might be bearable if we didn’t already know that it won’t work. Trump and his fanatical trade warriors will not be appeased or deterred by such concessions. On the contrary, they will feel emboldened and press on.
An exception for US companies would be self-harm for Europe.
Mark Carney and the Canadian Liberals have shown how things can be done differently. With their clear stance against Trump, they won the elections in Canada, even though just a few weeks ago all polls were predicting a landslide victory for the Conservatives.
Taking a clear stance against Trump is not only good for the European economy, but also has the support of the majority of the people.
That is why I, and we Greens, are committed to ensuring that the EU does not cave in, but takes a clear stand against Trump. On the global minimum tax, on the digital tax and on our democratic safeguards for the digital space, such as the DSA and DMA.
The decision of the EU countries on the global minimum tax is not yet final. If we speak up now, we can still stop it. The plans are due to be officially announced on 4 June, so we still have time, albeit not much
That is why I am asking you to forward this email to everyone who should know about it. And write to your representatives in your National and the European Parliament. It works!
Thank you very much for your support.
With determined regards,
Alexandra Geese