David Coburn – Why Should the European Union Tell Other Countries What Their Taxes Should Be?

“I don't see why the European Union should use its weight casting about the world in some sort of neo-colonial sort of way, to tell other countries what their taxes should be or the taxes should not be.” David Coburn, UKIP MEP. European Parliament, Brussels, 28 February 2018.

• Bluecard Question: David Coburn MEP, UK Independence Party (UKIP, Scotland), Europe of Freedom and Direct Democracy (EFDD) group - @DavidCoburnUkip

- Response: Paul Tang MEP (Netherlands), Socialist Group (S&D)

• Debate: Removal of several third countries from the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes

Council and Commission statements

[2018/2564(RSP)]

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• Video: EbS (European Parliament)

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Source: UKIP MEPs YouTube channel.

Transcript:

David Coburn:

Thank you madam President, and thank you Mr Tang.

I just want to ask you a simple question. I don't see why the European Union should use its weight casting about the world in some sort of neo-colonial sort of way, to tell other countries what their taxes should be or the taxes should not be. I find this most unsatisfactory. I wonder why you think neo-colonialism is a good thing to bring back?

Paul Tang:

… when Great Britain thought about the global economic order and it was an active participant. I'm not sure what happened to your beautiful country, but it turned inwards and is not concerned at all with this global economic order, but I think the European Union is economic superpower and should use this power in a political way, indeed, to push the tax havens in the right direction and to make sure that everyone pays its fair share, including large corporations and the very rich.