Trump threatens tariffs, chip export curbs on countries with digital services taxes

WASHINGTON

US President Donald Trump threatened Monday to impose sweeping new tariffs and export restrictions on countries with digital services taxes, which he said unfairly target American technology companies.

“As the President of the United States, I will stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies,” Trump wrote on the US social media company Truth Social’s platform, which he owns.

He said digital services taxes and related rules “are all designed to harm, or discriminate against, American Technology” while giving “a complete pass to China’s largest Tech Companies.”

“With this TRUTH, 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,” he added.

Digital service taxes have long been a flashpoint in trade talks, as they largely affect US tech giants such as Amazon, Alphabet and Meta.