Italy And U.S. Issue Joint Stand Against Digital Tax Discrimination

Italy and the United States have jointly spoken out against the use of “discriminatory” digital services taxes (DST), signaling a possible shift in Italy’s taxation approach toward global tech companies.

In a statement released on April 18, 2025, both nations emphasized the need for fair and balanced tax policies that do not unfairly target specific countries or companies. Italy’s current digital tax imposes a 3% levy on revenues earned from digital services, primarily affecting large U.S. tech firms such as Google, Apple, Meta, and Amazon.

While the statement stops short of announcing the removal of the tax, it highlights a shared commitment to resolving the issue through bilateral dialogue and cooperation.

This renewed collaboration comes amid deepening ties between the two countries, following recent meetings between Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and U.S. President Donald Trump. As part of their growing economic partnership, Amazon Web Services has announced a €1.2 billion investment to expand its data infrastructure in Italy over the next five years.

The joint stance also supports ongoing global efforts under the OECD/G20 framework to create a unified and equitable international tax system, potentially replacing individual digital tax measures.

President Trump is expected to visit Italy soon, further reinforcing the diplomatic and economic cooperation between both nations.