French National Assembly deputies voted on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, to double the GAFAM tax rate from 3% to 6%, targeting big tech companies. Despite government opposition fearing retaliation from the Trump administration, a compromise was adopted following an initial more ambitious proposal. Left-wing lawmakers denounce it as a retreat under American pressure.
On Tuesday, October 28, 2025, as part of the 2026 budget review, deputies approved doubling the GAFAM tax, which targets major tech firms like Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon, and Microsoft. Initially, in committee, Macronist lawmakers proposed raising the rate from 3% to 15%, but in plenary session, they backed a compromise at 6%.
The government opposed the measure, fearing disproportionate retaliation from the Trump administration. Economy Minister Roland Lescure urged caution before the vote: “If we introduce a disproportionate tax, we will have disproportionate retaliations.”
This reversal sparked outrage among left-wing deputies, who see it as a retreat under American pressure. The tax is part of broader tense budget debates in the National Assembly, where other fiscal measures like the Zucman tax are also under discussion, but the GAFAM tax vote signals a step toward stricter taxation on digital giants.