These digital giants are turning into private states – states over which citizens have no control and where democracy has no place, we cannot let companies, which are serving private interests, gather all the attributes of sovereign states. We must act.

Le Maire

Categorized in : Company News

I think we can reach a new deal and a common European position at the OECD, with the European Commission position, (and) the support of the United States, we can get a digital tax proposed at the international level, at the OECD, by the end of 2019.

Two years ago nobody wanted to tax the digital firms, it was us the French who put the subject on the table out of concern for fiscal fairness, justice and efficiency.

It is useless to produce weapons through improved cooperation between France and Germany if we are unable to export them, if you want to be competitive and efficient, we need to be able to export to countries outside Europe.

Our hope is that we will come to an agreement with Germany in thi... by Le Maire

Our hope is that we will come to an agreement with Germany in this crucial point.

You can't be out of the EU and getting all the benefits of the single market, that is a clear red line for France.

We will not revise our growth forecast for 2019. We think we will... by Le Maire

We will not revise our growth forecast for 2019. We think we will have growth of around 1.7 percent.

We will put on the table the idea of a fair taxation of Internet... by Le Maire

We will put on the table the idea of a fair taxation of Internet giants.

There is a fair agreement that paves the way for fair Brexit, we are open for clarifications, but do not want to reopen the deal... If the British are asking for more delay, we have to understand what for?

Carlos Ghosn just resigned last night. by Le Maire

Carlos Ghosn just resigned last night.

We made a compromise offer to Germany in December and I am convinced that a deal is within arm's reach between now and the end of March. With the European elections just a few months away, our citizens would find it incomprehensible if we gave up on this.

The French state, as shareholder, will have its say. What I can tell you, is that Jean-Dominique Senard has a renowned competence with regards to the automobile industry, at Michelin, he showed his capacity to succeed at the head of a large, industrial company, and he has an idea of the social responsibilities of a company to which I am strongly attached.

I want to know who these payments were made to, whether they were disclosed, whether they correspond to work carried out and whether the Renault board and shareholders were informed about them.

The conditions have not been met for me to go to Riyadh, the facts are serious and we want to know the truth.

We have just received Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's response... by Le Maire

We have just received Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin's response: it's negative.

If tomorrow there is an increase in tariffs, like in the car industry, our reaction should be united and strong to show that Europe is a united and sovereign power, the question is no longer whether or not there will be a trade war, the war has already started.

Let it be known that if we are attacked we will react collectivel... by Le Maire

Let it be known that if we are attacked we will react collectively and we will react firmly.

Believe me, we will tax the digital giants by the end of 2018 or at the latest in early 2019 because it's not only a question of justice but of sovereignty.

If tomorrow there is an increase in tariffs, like in the car industry, including on cars, our reaction should be united and strong to show that Europe is a united and sovereign power, the question is no longer whether or not there will be a trade war, the war has already started.

This is the moment of truth for the Franco-German relationship, the hour of reckoning for the future of the euro zone, either in the next few hours the president and the chancellor reach an agreement and accomplish a significant step in strengthening the euro zone. Or they are unable to and we will return, and I don't hesitate to say so, to turbulent times for the euro zone and for the European Union more widely.

Unfortunately, we are going to have a G6 plus-one with United States alone against everyone and running the risk of economic destabilization.