Hungary govt of ‘tax cuts’ will not ignore snags of global minimum tax
Introducing a global minimum corporate tax poses challenges that Hungary’ government, which is committed to a policy of tax cuts, “cannot ignore”, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Wednesday in Madrid, after talks with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NATO summit, Szijjártó said low taxes on jobs and companies boosted competitiveness, and Hungary had proven this ever since introducing the lowest corporate tax in the EU, breaking investment records year after year.
Tax hikes would have “tragic consequences” in the difficult situation the world and the European economy finds itself in, and would threaten tens of thousands of jobs in Hungary, he said. The global minimum tax would cost Hungary its competitive edge, he added.
Meanwhile, the minister said NATO’s new strategic concept adopted at the summit earlier on Wednesday confirmed NATO as a defence alliance with nuclear resources at its disposal.
The summit also adopted a comprehensive aid package for Ukraine on training, education and post-war reconstruction, he noted, adding that Hungary supported the package as a means to ensure that “the war in Ukraine doesn’t spill over the borders.” He stressed that the package for Ukraine would not stray over a red line of risking a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia.
Szijjártó said Hungary had taken a stand for peace, and saw “every minute spent on war in Ukraine as a security threat to Hungary”. Strategic communication channels should remain open with Russia “lest we leave behind the last hope of a diplomatic solution,” he added.
Fortunately, the “big and strong” member states agree with Hungary that direct confrontation and the expansion of the war should be avoided, and that a degree of communication should be maintained, he said.
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Source: MTI