display

Seattle / Washington (dpa) - The world's largest online retailer Amazon has long been criticized for tax avoidance, and now CEO Jeff Bezos is speaking out in favor of higher taxes.

"We support an increase in the corporate tax rate," said Bezos in a statement published in the Amazon company blog.

The multibillionaire encouraged Congress and government to find a "right, balanced solution that maintains or increases the competitiveness of the US."

Bezos' statements are made against the background of a billion dollar infrastructure investment program that US President Joe Biden is planning, and which is to be financed in part by stronger corporate taxation.

The debate about higher taxes to the tax authorities was further fueled by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who called for a global minimum tax rate for companies.

The proposal should also be a topic at the video conference of the G20 finance ministers.

display

It is actually unusual that Bezos or Amazon express themselves publicly on politically explosive topics.

However, the group is under pressure and can currently use positive PR.

In a recent speech, US President Biden reprimanded Amazon as one of the companies that use legal loopholes to avoid tax payments.

In addition, a vote in Alabama, through which a US union could join Amazon for the first time, caused the debate about the working conditions of the group to boil again.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210407-99-107823 / 5