US Protests Digital Service Tax in Canada

· Canada’s proposed unilateral digital service tax and pending legislation in the Canadian Parliament that could impact digital streaming services and online news sharing and discriminate against U.S. businesses

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today met virtually with Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business, and Economic Development, Mary Ng.

Ambassador Tai and Minister Ng acknowledged the close relationship between the two countries and emphasized the importance of U.S.-Canadian cooperation in strengthening North American economic integration. They also discussed cooperation in multilateral fora, as well as the ongoing consultations under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on certain Mexican energy measures that continue to threaten U.S. and Canadian investments.

Ambassador Tai expressed concern about Canada’s proposed unilateral digital service tax and pending legislation in the Canadian Parliament that could impact digital streaming services and online news sharing and discriminate against U.S. businesses.

The two agreed to continue to collaborate on addressing these and other issues.