Donald Trump’s nominated envoy to Warsaw has issued a stark warning to Poland over its plans to introduce a digital tax on tech giants, calling it a “self-destructive” move that will “only hurt Poland and its relations with USA.”
The warning follows an announcement made by Polish Minister of Digital Affairs Krzysztof Gawkowski on Monday regarding the Polish government’s plans to introduce a digital tax targeting the revenues or profits of major tech companies.
Speaking to Poland’s state news agency PAP, Gawkowski said that a model for the digital tax would be presented in the coming months, adding that the funds generated by the tax would be used to support the development of Polish tech companies, startups, and media.
Referring to the proposed tax, Gawkowski said: “It could transfer profits from powerful global corporations, regardless of their place of origin, to the budget, and they could then work for the development of Polish technology companies, support Polish startups, deep tech, cloud enterprises or the creation of quality content by the media.”
He added that similar taxes are in place in 35 countries, including France, Austria, the U.K., and Canada.
But Thomas Rose, who was named U.S. ambassador to Poland by Trump in February, has now sharply criticized the move.
Writing on X he said: “Not very smart! A self-destructive tax that will only hurt Poland and its relations with USA.
“President Trump will reciprocate as well he should.”
He added: “Rescind the tax to avoid the consequences!”
Speaking to Poland’s state news agency PAP, Gawkowski said that a model for the digital tax would be presented in the coming months, adding that the funds generated by the tax would be used to support the development of Polish tech companies, startups, and media.
Referring to the proposed tax, Gawkowski said: “It could transfer profits from powerful global corporations, regardless of their place of origin, to the budget, and they could then work for the development of Polish technology companies, support Polish startups, deep tech, cloud enterprises or the creation of quality content by the media.”
He added that similar taxes are in place in 35 countries, including France, Austria, the U.K., and Canada.
But Thomas Rose, who was named U.S. ambassador to Poland by Trump in February, has now sharply criticized the move.
Writing on X he said: “Not very smart! A self-destructive tax that will only hurt Poland and its relations with USA.
“President Trump will reciprocate as well he should.”
He added: “Rescind the tax to avoid the consequences!”
Rose is known for his right-wing and pro-Israeli views and has in the past often taken to the X platform to criticize Donald Tusk, Poland’s prime minster and the current government for its position on issues such as state-owned media and its policies toward Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.
HIs latest remarks reflect the Trump administration’s opposition to digital taxes imposed by European countries, which it views as unfair treatment of American companies.
Trump, along with his cabinet members, has repeatedly criticized such measures, describing them as trade barriers that distort the level playing field in foreign trade.
Recently, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Washington would consider such taxes, along with other trade barriers like VAT, when imposing tariffs on the European Union.
HIs latest remarks reflect the Trump administration’s opposition to digital taxes imposed by European countries, which it views as unfair treatment of American companies.
Trump, along with his cabinet members, has repeatedly criticized such measures, describing them as trade barriers that distort the level playing field in foreign trade.
Recently, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Washington would consider such taxes, along with other trade barriers like VAT, when imposing tariffs on the European Union.
