The US president does not hide his outrage over the British levy on digital services, which amounts to 2%. revenues generated by search engines, marketplaces and social media.
Read also: American soldier accused of insider trading. He made a fortune on Polymarket
According to Trump, these regulations are a deliberate attack on powerhouses such as Apple, Google and Meta. — I don't like it when they target American companies. Regardless of whether we like them or not, these are American companies and are among the world's best – Trump stated in an interview with a British newspaper.
The American leader added that From his perspective, the solution to the problem is very simple: imposing punitive tariffs on British goods. When asked how severe these fees might be, he replied briefly: “More than what you get.”
Billions of pounds are at stake
For London, waiving the tax would be a painful blow to the budget. As noted by the Daily Telegraph, this levy has become a key source of state revenue in recent years.
Just four years ago, the tax raised £380 million. In the 2025-26 tax year this amount has already increased to £944 million. Forecasts for 2030 indicate revenues of around £1.3 billion.
Read also: The dollar is losing global dominance. Economist warns
The British Ministry of Finance is therefore faced with a dramatic choice: defend growing budget revenues or save trade relations with the world's largest economy.
Diplomacy on the edge: hope in the crown?
Trump's threats come at an exceptionally difficult time. The US president has been lashing out bitter words at Prime Minister Keir Starmer for weeks. He accuses him of lack of support in the conflict with Iran, too liberal migration policy and giving up on the extraction of raw materials in the North Sea.
Against the background of a growing political dispute, the countdown to the visit of the British royal couple to the United States continues. It is King Charles III who is seen as the chance to break the deadlock. Interestingly, Trump himself admitted in an interview with the BBC that the monarch's visit “absolutely can” contribute to warming relations between the superpowers. Will royal diplomacy be enough to stop a tariff war? We'll find out in the coming weeks.
