The US announced a tariff of 25 per cent on $1.3 billion (Dh4.77bn) worth of French goods in a long-running battle between the two countries over taxes on technology giants.
The Office of the US Trade Representative said on Friday that it would again push back the collection of the levies by up to 180 days as France has yet to begin collecting its digital tax.
The Trump administration said it would also grant more time to ongoing talks on a global deal at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.
Affected items include make-up, soap and handbags. However, items excluded from the US tariff list include French wine and cheese.
France held firm on its plans to resume collection of a national digital tax that hits technology giants including Amazon, Alphabet’s Google and Facebook, and said on Friday that it would not be swayed by threats of US sanctions.
“France’s response will be unchanged,” finance minister Bruno Le Maire said in Brussels. “If there is no international solution by the end of 2020, we will, as we have always said, apply our national tax.”
The US withdrew last month from international talks over a digital tax deal after failing to reach an agreement on developing a global levy.
The OECD has sought to help about 140 countries agree on how to address how multinationals – particularly big technology companies – are taxed in the nations where they have users or consumers.
An international deal would prevent dozens of countries from introducing their own versions of levies.
Several European countries – including Austria, France, Spain, Hungary, Italy, Turkey and the UK – announced plans for a digital services tax while many others held discussions on the matter. India expanded a levy that it already uses in April.
“We call on the US to return to the OECD negotiations on taxing digital giants,” Mr Le Maire said. “Sanctions are not a way of operating between countries that are friends, as the US and France are.”
The announcement sent a clear signal to France and other countries considering similar measures that there would be consequences to singling out American technology companies, said Clete Willems, a partner at law firm Akin Gump.
Still, the tariff delay provided a valuable opportunity to solve this multilaterally, he said.
“Both sides need to compromise,” he said. “France needs to back away from trying to tax digital companies before all global service providers and the US needs to stop insisting that the new rules be optional.”
US politicians expressed their support for the tariffs shortly after the announcement.
“Retaliatory tariffs aren’t ideal but the French government’s refusal to back down from its unilateral imposition of unfair and punitive taxes on US companies leaves our government with no choice,” the top Republican, Chuck Grassley, and Democrat Ron Wyden on the Senate Finance Committee – with jurisdiction over taxes – said.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Results
4pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Dirt); 1,400m
Winner: Solar Shower; William Lee (jockey); Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
Winner: Thaaqib; Antonio Fresu; Erwan Charpy.
5.10pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Turf); 1,800m
Winner: Bila Shak; Adrie de Vries; Fawzi Nass
5.45pm: Handicap; Dh175,000 (D); 1,200m
Winner: Beachcomber Bay; Richard Mullen; Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,800m
Winner: Muzdawaj; Jim Crowley; Musabah Al Muhairi
6.55pm: Handicap; Dh185,000 (D); 1,600m
Winner: Mazeed; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
Winner: Riflescope; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar.
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Schools to implement online system to encouraging transparency and accountability
MATCH SCHEDULE
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Tuesday, April 24 (10.45pm)
Liverpool v Roma
Wednesday, April 25
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid (10.45pm)
Europa League semi-final, first leg
Thursday, April 26
Arsenal v Atletico Madrid (11.05pm)
Marseille v Salzburg (11.05pm)
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
