Tánaiste and US trade representative discuss corporate tax, Good Friday Agreement
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar has met United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Washington.
According to a statement released by Ambassador Tai’s office, she “highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s support for a strong global minimum tax and explained how this policy could achieve more equitable and inclusive economic growth”.
During the meeting, Ambassador Tai reiterated US support for the Good Friday Agreement.
She and the Tánaiste also discussed the upcoming US-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting and the successful resolution of the large civil aircraft dispute.
Mr Varadkar is in Washington for a two-day visit focusing on trade and commerce.
Yesterday, he met the US Secretary of Commerce, took part in a round-table meeting with the US Chamber of Commerce and delivered an address to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Speaking to reporters, he said that the US executives he was meeting were interested to know Ireland’s position on corporation tax.
“What I am saying to them is that it remains Ireland’s view that tax is a sovereign competence and that it is up to each country to set its own tax rates. We are holding to that position but I am also saying that we are keen to be part of any international agreement if there is going to be one,” Mr Varadkar said.
“Whatever happens we are going to make sure that corporate taxes in Ireland remain low and that they (companies) have certainty going into the future so that if they make that 30 year multi-billion euro investment in Ireland they know that our rate is going to be considerably lower than it is in other countries and it is not going to go up and down,” he added.
