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TotalEnergies CEO Defends Tax Record and Fuel Price Cap at Parliamentary Hearing

His testimony signals that a proposed surtax on windfall profits could trigger the company to end its consumer fuel cap.

Overview

  • Patrick Pouyanné appeared before the Assembly's finance commission on Wednesday and denied aggressive tax optimisation while rejecting claims the group profited from the Middle East conflict.
  • He told deputies the company has lost about €200 million keeping pump prices below market in France and said current caps include unleaded at €1.99 per litre and diesel at €2.09 per litre.
  • TotalEnergies says it has paid roughly $100 billion in taxes and production levies since 2022 and reports an average effective corporate tax rate of 43% since 2022, arguing most taxable profits arise in oil‑producing countries.
  • Campaign groups and economists, citing large profits booked in Switzerland and Singapore, continue to allege profit shifting and questionable transfer pricing that reduce taxable income in France.
  • Lawmakers are pressing for an extra tax on so‑called superprofits and the company warned it would reconsider the fuel cap if Parliament adopts additional surtaxes, a move that could raise pump prices for consumers.