Donald Trump has accused Ireland of stealing the US pharmaceutical industry and the tax revenue that should have been paid to the US treasury, in a blow to the Irish premier, Micheál Martin, who had hoped to emerge unscathed from a visit to the White House marking St Patrick’s Day.
The US president showed grudging respect for Martin, alternately ribbing and complimenting him, while also launching several broadsides against the EU.
He repeatedly took aim at Ireland’s historical low-tax policies, which helped lure US multinationals including Pfizer, Boston Scientific and Eli Lilly to its shores.
Big pharma now drives Ireland’s €72bn (£60bn) worth of annual exports to the US, with taxes paid in Ireland on drugs consumed in the US.
He repeatedly took aim at Ireland’s historical low-tax policies, which helped lure US multinationals including Pfizer, Boston Scientific and Eli Lilly to its shores.
First time Trump has actually taken aim at something worthwhile. Ireland’s antagonistically low corporate tax rate and dodgy tax writeoffs for multinationals robs other countries of taxation used for public services so that Ireland gets just a little more for themselves, it’s a selfish, crappy move by Ireland and I’ve spoken out against it multiple times in the past.
I don’t think Trump will get it right though. He’ll probably realise sooner or later that his company has an Irish subsidiary for tax reasons.
How do you know taxation is used for public services? In my country it ends up in rich peoples pockets.
Strong government/democracy, fairly low corruption rate. Has come a long way since the 80s and before.
Trump is actually right here. Tax havens benefit themselves at the cost of their neighbours.
Close down tax havens!
trump meeting ally without antagonising them (challenge) (impossible)
Is Ireland an ‘Ally’ in the geopolitical sense though?
They’re a trading partner, a friend even.
But they don’t have a military to speak of, they can’t be anyone’s ‘ally’…
If a company used Ireland to avoid taxes I believe that checks notes … makes them smart.
They’re just businessmen doing business
Are there any countries that aren’t being horribly mean to the poor helpless USA, according to Trump? Apart from Russia of course.
North Korea. And Israel.
I’d say NK falls into the same category as China.
Russia and Israel are his only friends. Both becuase they’re using him. What a tool Trump is.
DPRK?
This mother fucker has a golf course in Ireland!
Maybe the Irish will increase taxation on it to make him happy.
Maybe he should check if his company is setup on a tax haven.
Or maybe go check back the panama paper again and see how many time his name is listed.
No one corn that man’s beef!
