Donald Trump’s envoy threatens tariffs if Burnham hits Big Tech with higher taxes

LONDON — Donald Trump’s ambassador to the U.K., Warren Stephens, has warned Britain could face further tariffs, if new Prime Minister Andy Burnham raises taxes on American tech giants. “If we go down further taxation on primarily American companies, that could certainly [elicit a tariff response],” Stephens told Sky News on Thursday morning. The warning comes as Burnham announces his plans to slash business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues by shifting the tax burden elsewhere. It is widely reported that the changes will be funded by a 20 percent increase in business rates for large fulfillment warehouses used by companies like Amazon and ASOS. Stephens also criticized the government’s social media ban for under 16s — calling it “a little draconian from a freedom of speech point of view.” “I don’t think we see it as an attack on U.S. companies, but U.S. companies are the ones that are most affected by it,” he said. “But I think we’ll find a way, as best as we can, to work with the laws and rules of all the countries.” The U.S. president has recently threatened a 100 percent tariff on European countries that impose digital services taxes on Big Tech companies.