The finance ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have claimed a landmark agreement to curb tax abuse by multinational companies is "within reach" after years of false starts.
In a letter for The Guardian, the ministers argued that a pivotal moment has come to deal a blow against tax avoidance amid countries' efforts to rebuild their economies hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"For more than four years, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain have been working together to create an international tax system fit for the 21st century. It is a saga of many twists and turns. Now it's time to come to an agreement", the letter pointed out.
According to the ministers, a possible breakthrough at the ongoing G7 ministerial meetings in London will help pave the way for clinching a broader deal between nations, including China, India, and Brazil during the G20 summit in Italy scheduled for next month.
"We therefore commit to defining a common position on a new international tax system at the G7 Finance Ministers meeting in London this Friday. We are confident it will create the momentum needed to reach a global agreement at the G20 in Venice in July", they underlined.
The message comes after The Telegraph cited unnamed sources as saying in late May that the UK Treasury declined to back an international overhaul of corporation tax initiated by US President Joe Biden, stating that the White House should first support London's demand to clamp down on American tech giants.
A spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in turn, noted that "it's crucial that any agreement ensures digital businesses pay tax in the UK that reflects their economic activities".
Unlike Britain, France, Germany, and Italy backed Biden's proposal for a global minimum corporate tax rate of at least 15%, touting it as a good basis for signing an international deal by the end of June.