The interview with Deloitte Canada’s indirect tax partner highlights the significant impact of recent tariff escalations between Canada and the United States on trade and supply chains. It discusses Canada’s reciprocal tariff measures, the repeal of certain countermeasures, and the scheduled comprehensive review of CUSMA in 2026, underscoring the need for businesses to adapt to a rapidly evolving trade environment.

The European Commission is advancing a deemed supplier regime for ride‑and‑accommodation platforms, with a voluntary launch in July 2028 and mandatory compliance by 1 January 2030. Draft explanatory notes were issued in Q1 2026, with final notes expected in Q2 2027, and the EC will confirm member‑state conditions by 31 December 2028. The regime also revises the short‑term accommodation definition to 30 days and will be evaluated for effectiveness by 1 July 2033.

Uzbekistan has launched a VAT refund system for foreign tourists effective 1 April 2026, allowing visitors to reclaim 85 % of VAT on purchases of at least 300,000 soums. The scheme will initially operate at all international airports and is planned to extend to railway stations and border checkpoints. The move accompanies a broader privatisation drive aimed at reducing state ownership to 15 %.

Slovakia will enforce mandatory B2B e-invoicing via the Peppol network from 1 January 2027 under Law 385/2025 Z.z., following a voluntary testing period in 2026. All e-invoices must use the EN 16931 XML standard (UBL 2.1 or CII), be issued within 15 days, and reported within 5 days, with penalties up to €10,000 per infraction and €100,000 for repeated violations.

Spain has temporarily lowered fuel VAT from 21% to 10% under Real Decreto-ley 7/2026, a measure set to expire on 30 June 2026. The EU Commission warned that the cut breaches EU rules, but no formal infringement has been initiated. The temporary relief is expected to cost Spain about €507 million in revenue loss.

Spain has temporarily lowered fuel VAT from 21% to 10% as part of a €5 billion emergency package, a move that the European Commission says violates the EU VAT Directive. The reduction is set to expire at the end of June 2026, after which the standard 21% rate will resume unless Madrid extends the measure. Brussels has issued a formal warning and warned of potential infringement proceedings if the policy persists.