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Billionaire George Soros (here, June 21, 2019 in Vienna) is among the 18 signatories of the letter. REUTERS / Lisi Niesner

In a message to all candidates for the next US presidential election, 18 billionaires claim the application of a wealth tax to spare the middle class.

" Tax us more, " the signatories claim to the White House candidates. In a letter published online on Monday, June 24, the small group of American billionaires, including George Soros or Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, support the idea of ​​a wealth tax.

" We are writing to all presidential candidates, whether they be Republicans or Democrats, to support a moderate tax on the fortunes of a tenth of the richest 1% of Americans - on us, " they say. they. The wealth of this 0.1% of the population is almost as large as that of 90% of the American population. " Any new dollar emanating from new taxes must come from the better off financially, not Americans of the middle class or popular, " added the 18 signatories, from 11 families.

It is somehow against the policy of the current President of the United States that personalities position themselves. Donald Trump has indeed applied since his accession to the presidency a tax policy largely favorable to the richest of taxpayers. Now that the race for the presidency is open, the debate is gaining momentum and introducing a wealth tax is an idea that is gaining ground.

Several elected officials have seized the subject. In the first place, the Democratic primary candidate Elizabeth Warren wants to establish a TFR of up to 3% for households with more than $ 50 million in assets. George Soros and the 17 other signatories of the letter, while saying they are non-partisan, quote the Democrat's proposal as a path to explore. It is an " ethical and economic moral responsibility " for the country say the billionaires. The idea is supported by a majority of Americans, in a country that has seen inequalities widen like never before in 20 years.