Opinion: Why tax can be central to the EU’s competitive future

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

Cookies Settings
Direct Tax

Opinion: Why tax can be central to the EU’s competitive future

Ralph Cunningham
September 11 2024
36939032441_f427dd7c91_c.jpg
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission | Arno Mikkor, via Flickr

Ursula von der Leyen is under pressure to ensure her new team makes competitiveness a top priority. How tax policy is designed and implemented is crucial, writes Ralph Cunningham

Unlock this content.

The content you are trying to view is exclusive to our subscribers.

To unlock this content:

Take a Free Trial or Login

Topics

OpinionEuropean UnionEuropeDirect Tax
Cunningham, Ralph BW.jpg
Ralph Cunningham
Contact
Ralph Cunningham worked at ITR between 2004 and 2018 and is now a freelance journalist.
more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

Direct Tax
Irvine, CA, USA - May 6, 2022: Exterior view of Baker Tilly's office in Irvine, California. Baker Tilly US, LLP is a public accounting and consulting firm headquartered in Chicago, Illinois.
Baker Tilly International records 31% tax service line growth
The network’s tax service line grew more than those for audit and assurance, advisory and legal services over the same period
Sam Sholli, January 14 2026
Direct Tax
Base_of_two_pillars_at_Viborg_Katedralskole_320x215
‘Sigh of relief’ for multinationals after pillar two side-by-side agreement
The deal is a ‘real win’ for US-based multinationals and its announcement is a welcome relief, experts have told ITR
Sam Sholli, January 13 2026
Direct Tax
Washington DC Capitol view on cloudy sky background
Ex-US Supreme Court advocate stands trial over tax affairs
Tom Goldstein, who is now a blogger, is being represented by US law firm Munger, Tolles & Olson
Sam Sholli, January 12 2026
Direct Tax
Money large
A taxing week: Tax need not be just about revenue for governments (yes, seriously!)
In looking at the impact of taxation, money won't always be all there is to it
Sam Sholli, January 09 2026
Direct Tax
ib-australia.jpg
Australia’s TPB welcomes Andrew Orme as new secretary
Australia’s Tax Practitioners Board is set to kick off 2026 with a new secretary to head the administrative side of its regulatory activities.
Tom Ravlic, January 09 2026
Direct Tax
ireland.jpg
This week in tax: Ireland records €8.6 billion rise in tax receipts
Ireland’s Department of Finance reported increased income tax, VAT and corporation tax receipts from 2024; in other news, it’s understood that HSBC has agreed to pay the French treasury to settle a tax investigation
Sam Sholli, January 09 2026
Transfer Pricing
Australian Company Tax Return concept
IKEA announces intention to dispute A$171m ATO tax claim
The Australian Taxation Office believes the Swedish furniture company has used TP to evade paying tax it owes
Sam Sholli, January 07 2026
Indirect Tax
hmrc large
This month in indirect tax: UK supermarket loses VAT court battle
Supermarket chain Morrisons is facing a £17 million ($23 million) tax bill; in other news, Donald Trump has cut proposed tariffs
Sam Sholli, January 07 2026
Direct Tax
OECD building
Landmark pillar two side-by-side agreement reached
The controversial deal will allow US-parented groups to be carved out from key aspects of pillar two
Tom Baker, January 05 2026
Awards
ITR World Tax 2026 website - 1200x627.png
ITR World Tax 2027 and ITR Tax Awards 2026 opens for submissions
ITR invites tax firms, in-house teams, and tax professionals to make submissions for the 2027 World Tax rankings and the 2026 ITR Tax Awards globally
John Harrison, January 05 2026
Gift this article