France is pushing ahead with its tax on US Big Tech after a 10-month standoff with Trump, setting the stage for a trade war over makeup and handbags

• France has notified US Big Tech companies, including Facebook and Amazon, that it is levying its new 3% digital services tax for this year.
• France put collecting the money on hold in January, after the tax sparked a tariff war with President Donald Trump's administration.
• The tax is aimed at large tech companies operating in France.
• The Trump administration in July threatened to place tariffs on handbags and makeup if France followed through with the tax.

France has demanded US tech giants pay its new 3% digital services tax, in a re-escalation of a trade war with the White House that was put on hold in January.

The Financial Times reported Wednesday that tech companies including Facebook and Amazon had been told by French authorities over the past few days that they need to pay the tax for 2020. The FT cited company executives, advisors, and French officials.

A finance ministry spokesperson confirmed in a statement to Business Insider the tech giant have received notices alerting them the tax on their 2020 revenue will be due in 2021.

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France's government first approved the digital services tax, which levies a 3% tax on any revenue generated by large tech companies operating in France, in July 2019.

The tax caused a rift with President Donald Trump's administration, which accused France of unfairly targeting American firms. It threatened to retaliate with tariffs on French goods such as wine and cheese.

In January, France agreed to suspend collecting the tax to allow more time for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to create an international tax framework for tech giants. The US withdrew from OECD talks in June.

"We can't wait any longer and the tech companies are the big winners of the pandemic," an anonymous French official told the FT, adding: "Their turnover is soaring and they haven't been paying fair taxes even before the pandemic."

Big Tech companies are often able to avoid paying taxes where they operate by basing themselves in nearby countries with more lenient tax laws.

"France remains committed to finding an international solution so that digital companies pay their fair share of tax just like other companies," a spokesperson for France's Finance Ministry told Business Insider.

France's finance minister Bruno LeMaire said in March 2019 the tax could bring in 500 million euros ($594 million) for the country.

This latest development sets the stage for another trade war between France and the US, just as President-elect Joe Biden prepares to enter the White House.

The Trump administration in July threatened to place tariffs on handbags and makeup if France followed through with its tax.

Amazon confirmed to Business Insider it had received its notice from the French government.

"We will continue to pay all the taxes due in France, and to encourage governments globally to focus on international tax reform because ultimately we need a global solution," a Facebook spokesperson told the Business Insider.

Business Insider has contacted Google, Apple, and Twitter for comment.