Paris — The US warned on Tuesday it was considering a complaint at the World Trade Organisation over “discriminatory” new taxes on US digital giants such as a Facebook and Google planned by France and other EU nations.
The Paris-based OECD is trying to forge a new global agreement on taxing technology and digital giants which often declare their income in low-tax jurisdictions, depriving other countries of billions in revenue. Similar measures are under consideration in Britain, Spain, Austria and Italy as the governments look to respond to voter anger over multinationals paying minimal taxes.
There were also fears that the move could worsen trade tensions with the US and President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened Europe with trade tariffs.