Cameron and Merkel split on Tobin Tax ahead of talks

clock

A meeting in Berlin between David Cameron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be dominated by the European debt crisis, but is expected to also tackle the concept of a tax on financial transactions - known as the Tobin Tax - on which the two nations are split.

Germany and France are understood to be keen to implement a financial transactions tax, which would be levied on dealings in shares, bonds and derivatives, and use the proceeds as part of the eurozone bail out package. The plan has caused alarm in the UK amid concerns that other major economies may not sign up to the idea, leaving the City of London potentially damaged if the tax only applied across Europe. Chancellor George Osborne has described a Europe-only tax as "economic suicide" and he has been backed by the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy and others. But Merkel and others believ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Economics / Markets

Bank of England meets expectations and cuts rates to 4%

Bank of England meets expectations and cuts rates to 4%

Lowest level in two and a half years

Isabel Baxter
clock 07 August 2025 • 4 min read
Think tank warns UK fiscal hole could surpass £50bn by 2030

Think tank warns UK fiscal hole could surpass £50bn by 2030

Government not on track to meet ‘stability rule’

Sorin Dojan
clock 06 August 2025 • 1 min read
Chancellor Khalaf has a plan to make our economy boom

Chancellor Khalaf has a plan to make our economy boom

'So, Sir Keir, if you're reading, I do genuinely hope Rachel is doing okay. And my number's still the same. So, you know, call me'

Laith Khalaf
clock 25 July 2025 • 5 min read