U.S. not a ‘piggy bank’ or ‘doormat’: Trump warns nations of extra duties on digital taxes

After having slapped several countries with high reciprocal tariffs, U.S. President Donald Trump has now threatened that nations imposing ‘digital taxes’ on American tech firms will face additional duties unless such measures are rolled back.

“As the President of the United States, I will stand up to countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies. Digital Taxes, Digital Services Legislation, and Digital Markets Regulations are all designed to harm or discriminate against American Technology,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Trump accused nations of adopting selective behavior, arguing that Chinese tech firms are not subjected to similar norms in those countries.

“They also, outrageously, give a complete pass to China's largest Tech Companies. This must end, and end NOW! With this TRUTH, I put all countries with Digital Taxes, Legislation, Rules, or Regulations on notice that unless these discriminatory actions are removed, I, as President of the United States, will impose substantial additional tariffs on that country’s exports to the U.S.A., and institute export restrictions on our highly protected technology and chips,” he added.

Trump warned that the U.S. is no longer a mere ‘piggy bank’ or ‘doormat’ for the world, hinting at stricter visa norms in the future, particularly significant at a time when American tech firms employ large numbers of international workers.

“America, and American Technology Companies, are neither the ‘piggy bank’ nor the ‘doormat’ of the world any longer. Show respect to America and our amazing Tech Companies or consider the consequences,” Trump wrote in his post.

Nations such as those in the European Union and Canada were among the first to impose digital regulations on Big Tech companies including Google and Meta, and may now face changes in duty rates in light of Trump’s remarks. While India has not openly pushed for taxing big tech companies, it has on several occasions demanded stronger privacy protections from them, including in the recent trial involving Elon Musk and the central government.