SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Corporations that desert America by sheltering a large portion of their profits abroad or moving their headquarters to another country should no longer be entitled to the advantages of being American. (Image: RobertReich.org)
Apple is only the latest big global American corporation to use foreign tax shelters to avoiding paying its fair share of U.S. taxes. It's just another form of corporate desertion.
Corporations are deserting America by hiding their profits abroad or even shifting their corporate headquarters to another nation because they want lower taxes abroad. And some politicians say the only way to stop these desertions is to reduce corporate tax rates in the U.S. so they won't leave.
Wrong. If we start trying to match lower corporate tax rates around the world, there's no end to it.
Apple is only the latest big global American corporation to use foreign tax shelters to avoiding paying its fair share of U.S. taxes. It's just another form of corporate desertion.
Corporations are deserting America by hiding their profits abroad or even shifting their corporate headquarters to another nation because they want lower taxes abroad. And some politicians say the only way to stop these desertions is to reduce corporate tax rates in the U.S. so they won't leave.
Wrong. If we start trying to match lower corporate tax rates around the world, there's no end to it.
Instead, the President should use his executive power to end the financial incentives that encourage this type of corporate desertion. President Obama has already begun, but there is much left that could be done.
In addition, corporation that desert America by sheltering a large portion of their profits abroad or moving their headquarters to another country should no longer be entitled to the advantages of being American.
1. They shouldn't be allowed to influence the U.S. government. They shouldn't be allowed to contribute to U.S. political campaigns, or lobby Congress, or participate in U.S. government agency rule-making proceedings. And they no longer have the right to sue foreign companies in U.S. courts for acts committed outside the United States.
2. They shouldn't be entitled to generous government contracts. "Buy American" provisions of the law should be applied to them.
3. Their assets around the world shouldn't any longer be protected by the U.S. government. If their factories and equipment are expropriated somewhere around the world, they shouldn't expect the United States to negotiate or threaten sanctions, or use our armed forces to protect their investments. And if their intellectual property - patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights - are disregarded, that's their problem too. Don't expect any help from us.
In fact, their interests should be of no concern to the U.S. government - in trade negotiations, climate negotiations, international treaties reconciling American law with the laws of other countries, or international disputes over access to resources.
They don't get to be represented by the U.S. government because they're no longer American.
It's simple logic. If corporations want to desert America in order to pay less in taxes, that's their business. But they should no longer have the benefits that come with being American.
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Apple is only the latest big global American corporation to use foreign tax shelters to avoiding paying its fair share of U.S. taxes. It's just another form of corporate desertion.
Corporations are deserting America by hiding their profits abroad or even shifting their corporate headquarters to another nation because they want lower taxes abroad. And some politicians say the only way to stop these desertions is to reduce corporate tax rates in the U.S. so they won't leave.
Wrong. If we start trying to match lower corporate tax rates around the world, there's no end to it.
Instead, the President should use his executive power to end the financial incentives that encourage this type of corporate desertion. President Obama has already begun, but there is much left that could be done.
In addition, corporation that desert America by sheltering a large portion of their profits abroad or moving their headquarters to another country should no longer be entitled to the advantages of being American.
1. They shouldn't be allowed to influence the U.S. government. They shouldn't be allowed to contribute to U.S. political campaigns, or lobby Congress, or participate in U.S. government agency rule-making proceedings. And they no longer have the right to sue foreign companies in U.S. courts for acts committed outside the United States.
2. They shouldn't be entitled to generous government contracts. "Buy American" provisions of the law should be applied to them.
3. Their assets around the world shouldn't any longer be protected by the U.S. government. If their factories and equipment are expropriated somewhere around the world, they shouldn't expect the United States to negotiate or threaten sanctions, or use our armed forces to protect their investments. And if their intellectual property - patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights - are disregarded, that's their problem too. Don't expect any help from us.
In fact, their interests should be of no concern to the U.S. government - in trade negotiations, climate negotiations, international treaties reconciling American law with the laws of other countries, or international disputes over access to resources.
They don't get to be represented by the U.S. government because they're no longer American.
It's simple logic. If corporations want to desert America in order to pay less in taxes, that's their business. But they should no longer have the benefits that come with being American.
Apple is only the latest big global American corporation to use foreign tax shelters to avoiding paying its fair share of U.S. taxes. It's just another form of corporate desertion.
Corporations are deserting America by hiding their profits abroad or even shifting their corporate headquarters to another nation because they want lower taxes abroad. And some politicians say the only way to stop these desertions is to reduce corporate tax rates in the U.S. so they won't leave.
Wrong. If we start trying to match lower corporate tax rates around the world, there's no end to it.
Instead, the President should use his executive power to end the financial incentives that encourage this type of corporate desertion. President Obama has already begun, but there is much left that could be done.
In addition, corporation that desert America by sheltering a large portion of their profits abroad or moving their headquarters to another country should no longer be entitled to the advantages of being American.
1. They shouldn't be allowed to influence the U.S. government. They shouldn't be allowed to contribute to U.S. political campaigns, or lobby Congress, or participate in U.S. government agency rule-making proceedings. And they no longer have the right to sue foreign companies in U.S. courts for acts committed outside the United States.
2. They shouldn't be entitled to generous government contracts. "Buy American" provisions of the law should be applied to them.
3. Their assets around the world shouldn't any longer be protected by the U.S. government. If their factories and equipment are expropriated somewhere around the world, they shouldn't expect the United States to negotiate or threaten sanctions, or use our armed forces to protect their investments. And if their intellectual property - patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights - are disregarded, that's their problem too. Don't expect any help from us.
In fact, their interests should be of no concern to the U.S. government - in trade negotiations, climate negotiations, international treaties reconciling American law with the laws of other countries, or international disputes over access to resources.
They don't get to be represented by the U.S. government because they're no longer American.
It's simple logic. If corporations want to desert America in order to pay less in taxes, that's their business. But they should no longer have the benefits that come with being American.