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Trump Threatens 'Big Tariff' on UK Over Digital Services Tax

The warning raises the risk of a trade fight over the UK's 2 percent tax on Big Tech.

Overview

  • Trump, who spoke from the Oval Office on Thursday, warned he would put a "big tariff" on UK goods that equals or exceeds the levy unless the tax is dropped.
  • The Prime Minister’s office said Friday the policy stays in place and called it a key way to ensure large digital firms pay in the UK.
  • The digital services tax is a 2 percent charge on revenue from UK users for companies with more than £500 million in global digital sales and at least £25 million in the UK.
  • Treasury figures show the tax raised about £800 million in 2024–25 and about £944 million in 2025–26.
  • The levy survived the 2025 UKUS trade deal, and new tariffs could widen a rift in ties as other European countries run similar taxes and a global replacement has stalled.