Donald Trump reacted strongly, on his Truth Social network, to discussions underway in several European countries about implementing a digital services tax aimed at American companies. In a firm-toned statement, he warned that any country that imposed such a tax would immediately expose itself to 100% customs duties on all goods exported to the United States.
According to Donald Trump, several European countries are discussing the imminent introduction of a digital services tax, while some would be close to taking action. He claimed that this statement should be regarded as an official warning: any decision to impose this tax on American companies would, in his view, trigger an immediate trade backlash from Washington. Trump also specified that these 100% customs duties would override any trade agreement concluded with the country concerned, whether that agreement is already in force, signed, or still awaiting implementation. This threat marks a new escalation in trade tensions between the United States and certain European countries over the taxation of digital giants. The digital services tax generally targets large tech companies generating substantial revenues on national markets, notably in the areas of online advertising, digital platforms, and cross-border digital services.
