The Sound of Economics Tax, sovereignty and the EU
Feb 4, 2026
Roel Dom, Bruegel economist on EU fiscal policy, and Pascal Saint-Amans, former OECD tax expert, dig into global and European tax fights. They discuss the fate of the 15% global minimum tax, US carve-outs and digital tax delays. They examine how the EU is seeking new budget resources, tensions over turnover levies, and why tax rules touch sovereignty and policy trade-offs.
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Global Minimum Tax Is A Bitter Win
- The OECD-led global minimum tax was a hard-won, multiyear effort to curb profit shifting by multinationals.
- The current implementation is an asymmetrical 'bitter success' giving the U.S. advantages while keeping broad international cooperation intact.
Europe Taxes More But Changes Little
- EU countries tax about 10 percentage points of GDP more than non-EU OECD peers, reflecting stronger social spending preferences.
- Despite EU recommendations shifting towards capital taxes and tax administration, implementation rates remain low at roughly 14%.
Create A Coordinated EU Tax Research Hub
- Build the EU Tax Observatory to analyze tax competitiveness and reconcile growth with redistribution.
- Use coordinated, research-driven policy at the EU level to inform national tax choices and public debates.