The German Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Katarina Reiche (CDU), has voiced opposition to a proposed digital tax targeting US technology giants such as Google and Amazon, a measure recently advocated by Minister of State for Culture and the Media, Wolfram Weimer.
Reiche emphasized the importance of reducing trade barriers rather than introducing new ones. She argued that the focus should shift to improving the competitive landscape for German and European digital companies to ensure their viability in the global market. “We should be talking about fewer, not more, trade barriers” she stated in remarks to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland. She further called for “less regulation, more room for innovation and growth.
Beyond the digital tax debate, Reiche expressed concern over the ongoing dispute regarding tariffs between the European Union and the United States. “The tariffs are costing the German economy millions of euros every day” she noted. She stressed the crucial need for predictability for businesses on both sides of the Atlantic. “Uncertainty is toxic for investments and reliable supply chains” she warned. The minister underscored the necessity of a swift resolution to the tariff dispute, adding that the German government remains committed to facilitating a positive outcome.
