Paris (AFP)
Negotiations with the United States on French taxation of digital giants are "very difficult" and escaping sanctions that could be announced as early as Wednesday is "far from won", the French Minister of Economy said on Monday Bruno Le Maire.
"We are ready to take steps in the direction of the United States, we have proposed a number of them, I hope that we will have an agreement on Wednesday. I will not hide from you that it is very difficult, it is a the most difficult negotiations that I have conducted, it is far from being won, "said Le Maire on the LCI television channel.
In retaliation for the French tax which targets digital giants, many of whom are American, the administration of Donald Trump has threatened to overtax up to 100% certain emblematic French products, for an amount of $ 2.4 billion.
"It would be a terrible blow for French viticulture," acknowledged the minister, who "spent most of the weekend trying to negotiate" and will meet again Monday evening with his American counterpart, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin .
Asked if he was ready to give in by reducing to "almost nothing" the tax which has imposed since January 1, 2019 large digital companies to the tune of 3% of their turnover, pending the adoption of international taxation within the framework of the OECD, Mr. Le Maire replied "certainly not".
"What I am trying to make our American friends understand is that the fight is not between France and the United States, or between Europe and the United States, the fight is to places fair taxation on digital activities, "said the minister.
© 2020 AFP