Trump goes on attack over digital services taxes, threatens tariffs

Trump goes on attack over digital services taxes, threatens tariffs

Spread the love

President Donald Trump broadly attacked other nations’ plans for a digital services tax, which he said were designed to harm U.S. companies while giving others a pass.

Trump earlier this year killed Canada’s plans to implement a digital services tax, but the president has made clear he doesn’t want to see similar taxes pop up elsewhere, threatening to respond with U.S. tariffs if countries impose the tax unilaterally.

Trump said the taxes were a direct threat to U.S. tech firms.

“As the President of the United States, I will stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies. Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and Digital Markets Regulations are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology. They also, outrageously, give a complete pass to China’s largest Tech Companies. This must end, and end NOW!” the president wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform.

Some 18 nations have already implemented digital services taxes, according to a 2024 report from the Tax Foundation.

Trump said he’s not having it.

“I put all Countries with Digital Taxes, Legislation, Rules, or Regulations, on notice that unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional Tariffs on that Country’s Exports to the U.S.A., and institute Export restrictions on our Highly Protected Technology and Chips.

The president called for respect for U.S. tech firms.

“America, and American Technology Companies, are neither the ‘piggy bank’ nor the ‘doormat’ of the World any longer,” Trump wrote. “Show respect to America and our amazing Tech Companies or, consider the consequences!”

In late June, Canada caved to Trump’s demands by pulling its digital services tax hours before it was to go into effect. Canada’s proposed digital services tax required foreign and domestic businesses to pay taxes on some revenue earned from engaging with online users in Canada.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Senate confirms Warsh on narrow partisan lines

Senate confirms Warsh on narrow partisan lines

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Senate, in a 54-45 vote, confirmed Kevin Warsh, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Federal Reserve on Wednesday. The Senate voted closely...
Illinois Senate passes bill to regulate auto insurance rates

Illinois Senate passes bill to regulate auto insurance rates

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Senate has approved legislation to regulate auto insurance rates, but a former Illinois Department of...
Exclusive: GOP defends report, points to Walz administration failures on fraud

Exclusive: GOP defends report, points to Walz administration failures on fraud

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square The Republican-led Minnesota House fraud prevention and state oversight committee adopted its majority report on Wednesday, concluding a two-year review of alleged fraud across multiple...
Op-Ed: The FAA's O'Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition

Op-Ed: The FAA’s O’Hare decision is a win for travelers – and for competition

By Mario H. Lopez | Hispanic Leadership FundThe Center Square At Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, one of the nation's most critical travel hubs and a gateway for millions of passengers...
Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions

Bill to prevent fraud on elderly, disabled opposed by financial institutions

By Sean Reed | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Based on the multiple billions of dollars lost to scams and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults...
Will County Board Graphic.01

Legislative Committee Advances Resolution Opposing Kidney Disease Treatment Delegation Act

Will County Board Legislative Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Legislative Committee unanimously approved a resolution formally opposing Senate Bill 3445 and House Bill 4402, citing...
Cooper gets $31.4M share of $111.2M spend

Cooper gets $31.4M share of $111.2M spend

By Alan WootenThe Center Square The bid of Roy Cooper to the U.S. Senate is getting a $31.4 million infusion for television advertising, the Senate Majority PAC told The Center...
Appeals court freezes tariff ruling, businesses keep paying

Appeals court freezes tariff ruling, businesses keep paying

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square Two small businesses that won a court ruling against President Donald Trump's tariffs must continue paying them for now, after a federal appeals court on...

Illinois Quick Hits: Gas tops $5 a gallon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – AAA says the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is now $5.03 in Illinois,...
Pretrial Fairness Act invoked as Illinois Supreme Court hears detention case

Pretrial Fairness Act invoked as Illinois Supreme Court hears detention case

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A case involving the continued detention of defendants under the Pretrial Fairness Act portion of the SAFE-T...
Border crisis fallout: Midwest prosecutions of SATG crime ongoing

Border crisis fallout: Midwest prosecutions of SATG crime ongoing

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square After a record number of border crimes were reported during the Biden administration, criminal investigations and prosecutions are ongoing. In the Midwest, prosecutors are also...
EXCLUSIVE: Medical watchdog urges social work accreditor to remove DEI requirements

EXCLUSIVE: Medical watchdog urges social work accreditor to remove DEI requirements

By Tate RosentreterThe Center Square Medical watchdog Do No Harm sent a letter to social work accreditor the Council on Social Work Education Wednesday urging that it remove all diversity,...
Will County P&Z Logo Planning Zoning.2

Commission Approves Massive Lake Michigan Water Infrastructure Project for Troy Township

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on May 5, 2026, unanimously approved two major public utility...
Will County Board Graphic.02

Committee: Capital Improvements Committee Weighs $300 Million Options for Downtown Joliet Campus

Will County Board Capital Improvements & IT Committee Meeting | May 5, 2026 Article SummaryThe Will County Capital Improvements & IT Committee is evaluating four multi-million-dollar proposals to replace aging...
Incumbents weather challenges in Nebraska primary

Incumbents weather challenges in Nebraska primary

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square Voters in Nebraska elected incumbent candidates in races throughout the state on Tuesday. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts was nominated in the Republican primary, and...