U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on goods from any country that levies a digital services tax on American companies, escalating a long-running dispute with European governments over taxation of major U.S. technology firms.
Trump said in a social media post that "numerous European countries" were discussing the imminent implementation of such taxes, and that some were close to taking action.
Any country that proceeds would immediately face a 100 percent tariff on all goods it sends to the United States, Trump said, adding that the measure would supersede existing trade deals with the country concerned, whether signed, implemented or not.
The European Commission pushed back against the threat, saying digital services taxes are designed to be non-discriminatory and apply equally to all large companies regardless of origin, according to media reports.
A Commission spokesperson said unilateral measures against legitimate policies were unjustified, and that the European Union would respond swiftly and decisively if challenged, in order to defend its rights and regulatory autonomy.
Several European countries have in recent years moved to tax revenue generated by large technology companies, including Alphabet's Google, Amazon and Apple, from digital operations in their markets. The U.S. has long argued such taxes unfairly target U.S. tech giants.
Trump threatens 100 pct tariffs over digital services taxes
A Chinese envoy on Friday urged an immediate and full ceasefire in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York City, China's permanent representative to the UN Fu Cong noted that the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC and the resurgence of the Ebola outbreak have exacerbated the African country's security and humanitarian situation.
"Currently, the ceasefire in eastern DRC is not being implemented as expected, and the conflicting parties lack mutual trust, with fighting continuing. The international community must urge the conflicting parties to fully implement Security Council Resolution 2773, cease hostilities, abide by international humanitarian law, and protect the safety of civilians. External mediators should assume their responsibilities and promote the genuine implementation of relevant peace agreements. All countries should fully comply with relevant arms embargoes and uphold their commitments to ceasefires," Fu said.
In the meantime, the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the DRC must be fully respected, he added.
Security Council Resolution 2773, adopted on Feb 21, demands that the March 23 Movement (M23) immediately cease hostilities, withdraw from all controlled areas, and fully reverse the establishment of illegitimate parallel administrations in the DRC territory.
China encourages the DRC government and the M23 to continue resolving their differences through negotiations, Fu said, calling on the international community to support the African Union's central role in the peace process in eastern DRC and support the UN, the African Union, and sub-regional organizations in strengthening coordination and forming synergy to build an open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial regional security and economic framework.
On the worsening humanitarian crisis in the DRC, Fu called for more donations from the international community, especially traditional aid providers, to make up for the funding gap, as well as joint efforts by the conflicting parties to ensure unimpeded humanitarian access and the safety of medical personnel and humanitarian workers, and strive for an early victory over the Ebola outbreak.
Noting the abundant natural resources in the DRC have long been the target of plunder and smuggling by armed groups, becoming a significant contributing factor to the conflict, Fu reiterated China's support for the establishment of a transparent and inclusive mineral cooperation mechanism by countries in the region to sever the illegal resource trade chain.
The Security Council should support regional organizations and mechanisms in playing a role in enhancing the transparency and traceability of resource exports, and external powers should avoid using regional mineral resources as bargaining chips in geopolitical games, truly abandon zero-sum thinking, adhere to inclusive and open cooperation, and genuinely help countries in the region and their people benefit from resource development, he said.
China and African countries, including the DRC, have always been a community with a shared future, Fu emphasized, saying China stands ready to work with the international community to make greater contributions to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region.
"In response to the Ebola outbreak, China has immediately provided emergency humanitarian assistance to the DRC and the African Union and has sent medical expert teams to the DRC. Recently, China has provided further emergency humanitarian assistance to the DRC, Uganda, and the African Union. We will closely follow the development of the Ebola outbreak and provide support to the best of our capability based on the needs of African countries to help them defeat the outbreak at an early date. China stands ready to work with the international community to make greater contributions to peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region," Fu said.
The DRC has reported 1,203 confirmed cases of Ebola, including 321 deaths, since the outbreak was declared on May 15, according to the latest data released by the country's public health authorities on Friday.
Chinese envoy urges immediate ceasefire in eastern DRC
