In fresh days, the Polish government has been at the heart of global attention due to the controversial thought of introducing a digital tax. This proposal, tabled by the Minister of Digitalization Krzysztof Gawkowski, met with a sharp reaction from the future US Ambassador to Poland, Thomas Rose, as well as with a distance from the Ministry of Finance. The case sparked a stormy debate, which affects not only taxation issues, but besides the sovereignty of Poland and its relations with the US.
U.S. Ambassador warns: “Not besides smart! Self-destructive tax”
Thomas Rose, elected by president Donald Trump as the fresh United States Ambassador to Poland, left no uncertainty about his position on the digital tax. In his statement, he said: “Not very wise! An auto-destructive taxation that will only harm Poland and its relations with the US. president Trump will take reprisal action. Cancel the taxation to avoid consequences!’
Rose’s words triggered an immediate reaction in Poland. The Minister of Digitalism Krzysztof Gawkowski left no uncertainty that the government did not intend to quit the plans to introduce the tax. – I am amazed that Mr. Ambassador Rose begins his communication with Polish society, saying that something cannot be done or even ordered by the Polish government that we should withdraw," Gawkowski commented on Radio Zet. “We either live in a country that is full aware of its government, sovereignty in the creation of the law, or we look at an ambassador who has not yet arrived and says: something you cannot do due to the fact that Trump does not like.” he added.
The Ministry of Finance distances itself from the idea
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance distanced itself from Gawkowski's proposal. In his authoritative position submitted to PAP Business Ministry stressed that "The Ministry of Finance is presently not working on digital tax. Only the Minister competent for public finances is liable for Polish taxation policy".
This position points to interior disputes within the government regarding the direction of taxation policy. The digital taxation to cover global technological corporations raises controversy not only abroad, but besides among Polish decision-makers.
Gawkowski: “This is sick. Standing on the head of democracy”
Minister Gawkowski left no uncertainty that he considered the reaction of the future US Ambassador as unacceptable interference in Poland's sovereignty. - This is sick. Standing on the head of democracy. I will never agree to this as a associate of the Left and a associate of that government," he stressed.
Barbara Nowacka, Minister of Education, took a akin position. – The government must show what the fresh taxation will be. But we're not gonna back down due to individual else's tweet. We will not retreat from anything due to the tweets. Diplomacy, politics are not practiced on Twitter," she said.
Nowacka besides highlighted social expectations. “Most Poles do not usage this application, they want to see the good effects of the action and they want the government to rise money in a good way and that financial justice meets everyone, including large corporations”, she added.
What about the digital tax?
Although the Ministry of Finance seems to be temporarily withdrawing from the idea, this does not mean that the subject of the digital taxation will be completely abandoned. The introduction of specified a taxation could represent an crucial origin of gross for the state budget, especially in the context of the increasing function of global technology corporations in the economy.
However, force from the United States and interior government disputes may hold or even prevent these plans. In the face of the threat of retaliation from the Trump administration, the Polish government is faced with a hard choice: whether to place itself on sovereignty and on its own interests or subject to global pressure.
Summary
The digital taxation dispute is not only a question of taxation policy, but besides a test of Poland's sovereignty and its relation with the US. The reaction of future Ambassador Thomas Rose and the position of the Ministry of Finance show how complicated the situation is. In the coming weeks, it is worth following further developments that can have a crucial impact on both the Polish economy and global relations.
Continued here:
Fear? Domański distances himself from introducing a digital tax
