European Council President Donald Tusk has said that the United States is not interested in a “strong, united” Europe and called nationalism a “fundamental threat” to the European Union. The former Prime Minister of Poland turned top Eurocrat made the comments at a speech in his home country on Saturday, the day before Poland celebrated the 100th anniversary of its rebirth as an independent state, with Poles taking part in a march through Warsaw on Sunday condemned by the mainstream media as “far-right” nationalism.“For the first time in history we have an American administration which, to put it delicately, is not very enthusiastically tuned in to a united, strong Europe,” Tusk said. “And I say this as someone who has– let’s say — the satisfaction of having fairly frequent direct exchanges with the President of the United States. “Maybe he’s quite open with me because we are namesakes, and I have … [Read more...] about EU President: Trump Not ‘Tuned in’ to ‘Strong, United’ Europe, Claims Nationalism a ‘Fundamental Threat’
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EU ‘close’ to digital tax on tech giants
The European Union is 'close' to agreeing on a digital tax that would see companies like Facebook and Google pay more taxes in Europe. Reuters has quoted French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire saying the deal is right around the corner.“We are close to having a deal in our hands,” Le Maire told France Inter radio, adding that he was confident that Germany would back the agreement.Germany originally did back the idea, reportedly pulled out last week, after some EU member states voiced their opposition to the idea. The agreement would see international, digital companies pay a three per cent tax in Europe, which would level the playing field with local companies who, at the moment, pay more tax.Sweden, Ireland and Denmark were against the proposed agreement, for different reasons. Ireland homes EU offices for some of the world's largest companies, mostly due to its lenient tax laws.“What kind of reaction would this bring if this was a model that was imposed on … [Read more...] about EU ‘close’ to digital tax on tech giants
Germany wants binding deal on EU digital tax at December meeting
FILE PHOTO: German Finance Minister and vice-chancellor Olaf Scholz attends the weekly cabinet meeting in Berlin, Germany August 1, 2018. REUTERS/Joachim Herrmann//File Photo BERLIN (Reuters) - German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said he favors getting a binding deal on a European Union digital tax at a meeting of EU finance ministers in December and that he supported the French model. “If the negotiations continue the way that they have been going, we’ll still be in talks in 100 years. That is why I support the French model and want to offer the proceeds to the EU,” news weekly Der Spiegel quoted Scholz on Monday as saying. There has been discord among European Union member states over a proposed EU plan to tax big internet firms such as Google and Facebook on their turnover. Germany called this month for a revision of the plan that would exclude from the proposed tax activities linked to carmakers. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday that … [Read more...] about Germany wants binding deal on EU digital tax at December meeting
Foreign cities face GDPR fines for misusing EU citizens’ data, Government smart city tsar warns
Foreign “smart cities” could face GDPR fines for misusing EU citizens' data, a Government smart city tsar has warned. Dr Jacqui Taylor, strategic advisor to the UK Government on smart cities, said that public bodies and companies based abroad could face fines worth millions of pounds if they fail to follow strict rules which protect EU residents from data misuse. Transgressors can be fined 4pc of annual global turnover or €20m (£17.4m), whichever is greater. Cities elsewhere in the world face being “called to account if something goes wrong”, she said, with British citizens able to complain to UK regulator the Information Commissioner if they think their rights have been infringed. Smart cities across the globe are beginning to collect data from residents and visitors to monitor purchasing, public transport and services use, but there has been controversy about how the data is managed and whether there is enough transparency about what it … [Read more...] about Foreign cities face GDPR fines for misusing EU citizens’ data, Government smart city tsar warns
French minister Le Maire insists EU is close to digital tax deal
FILE PHOTO: French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire speaks on tax issues at a joint hearing with lawmakers of the economic affairs committee and the special committee on financial crime at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, October 23, 2018. REUTERS/Vincent Kessler PARIS (Reuters) - French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said on Monday that a European Union plan to tax big internet firms such as Google and Facebook was close to being struck, despite several EU governments having pushed back against the idea. “We are close to having a deal in our hands,” Le Maire told France Inter radio. He said he was confident the German government would help France reach an agreement with other member states. Last week Germany, which initially had backed the plan, urged some changes. France wants to strike a deal by December. Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta; editing by Richard Lough … [Read more...] about French minister Le Maire insists EU is close to digital tax deal