We’re not sure why Australia thinks it can get away with something like this. They are trying to impose a 2.25% GROSS RECEIPTS TAX on US tech giants… unless they agree to fund local Australian journalism. One of the nuttiest shakedowns of US tech companies yet.

Trump Deputy Press Secretary Kush Desai responded:

President Trump is committed to defending America’s leading technology sector from digital services taxes and other forms of foreign extortion. The Trump administration will continue to address these issues with our trading partners.

Extortion is exactly the right word, and this attack on America’s tech dominance and American shareholders needs to be stopped.