Washington, D.C. – Today, the top Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee Kevin Brady (R-TX) released the following statement after the United States Trade Representative announced that the Administration is launching an investigation under Section 301 in response to France’s steps toward implementing a new digital sales tax:
“I commend President Trump and Ambassador Lighthizer for taking this important step to hold France accountable for imposing a digital tax that directly and inexcusably targets a handful of U.S. companies.
“I have long urged France and other countries to avoid pursuing unilateral tax policies that amount to naked revenue grabs, and instead engage in the ongoing multilateral process at the OECD, where the United States is heavily involved under the leadership of Secretary Mnuchin.
“France’s action compels the U.S. government to pursue all available trade and tax tools, including this investigation, to ensure a fair and level playing field for U.S. companies. I strongly support the initiation of this investigation and I continue to urge France to reconsider this tax altogether so that our two countries can work together to update international tax policies in a fair and non-discriminatory manner.”