Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Who's number one? Merkel and Sarkozy pictured in December Remy de la Mauvinere/AP/Press Association Images
Euro

'Merkozy' to meet after French issue ultimatum on transaction tax

Nicolas Sarkozy has warned that France will go it alone with the controversial ‘Tobin tax’ if agreement is not reached.

ANGELA MERKEL AND Nicolas Sarkozy are set to meet in Berlin today amid growing speculation that the EU could introduce a so-called ‘Tobin tax’ on financial transactions.

The German chancellor and French president will seek to set out a united front ahead of the first EU summit of 2012, to be held on January 30.

But cracks have already appeared in their approach after Sarkozy warned that if European nations did not introduce the hotly-debated transaction tax, France would go it alone.

“We won’t wait for others to agree to put it in place, we’ll do it because we believe in it,” he said on Friday after meeting Italian prime minister Mario Monti, AFP reports.

However, German officials have said they want to build agreement across the EU before introducing such a measure.

British PM David Cameron, already facing isolation in Europe after opting out of a new agreement on economic management in December, has warned that he will veto any such levy unless it was agreed worldwide, Reuters reports.

The two leaders are also likely to discuss more worries about the economic futures of Spain and Italy, both of which are due to auction government bonds this week in what will be seen as a crucial test of investor confidence.

The euro fell ahead of the Merkel-Sarkozy meeting to $1.2666, the lowest level it has seen since September, according to Bloomberg.

Caption competition: ‘Merkozy’ at dusk>

Your Voice
Readers Comments
9
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.