Germany’s Minister of Culture, Wolfram Weimer, has strongly reaffirmed his plans for a digital tax, asserting the need to address the influence of major technology companies. In a statement to RTL and ntv on Thursday, Weimer stated, “We must address the power of the tech giants. They earn billions and they should also pay billions in taxes.
The proposed tax would amount to ten percent, according to the Minister. Weimer indicated Germany might proceed independently if necessary, citing the European Union’s difficulty in reaching a consensus on the matter for several years. He suggested a national initiative could pave the way for eventual integration into a broader European solution.
The Minister confirmed that discussions are currently underway with representatives from the tech companies at the Chancellery. While companies are welcome to propose alternative solutions, Weimer emphasized that the ultimate goal is to rectify what he perceives as “unfair monopolistic behavior”. The government’s move signals a significant step towards regulating the digital economy and ensuring that large tech firms contribute to public finances.
