Mark Esper, who was secretary of defence at the time, stands behind Donald Trump at the White House in 2019. AFP
Mark Esper, who was secretary of defence at the time, stands behind Donald Trump at the White House in 2019. AFP
Mark Esper, who was secretary of defence at the time, stands behind Donald Trump at the White House in 2019. AFP
Mark Esper, who was secretary of defence at the time, stands behind Donald Trump at the White House in 2019. AFP

World

US

Donald Trump reportedly asked about bombing drug labs in Mexico

Former president also wanted to shoot protesters, his defence secretary writes

The National

May 06, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Donald Trump asked about the possibility of bombing drug trafficking labs in Mexico while he was US president, former defence secretary Mark Esper says in a book set to be released on Tuesday.

Excerpts cited by the New York Times said Mr Trump believed the US could pretend it wasn't responsible for launching missiles across its southern border, Mr Esper, who was Pentagon head between July 2019 and November 2020, writes.

In 2020, Mr Trump reportedly asked twice if the military could “shoot missiles into Mexico to destroy the drug labs”, Mr Esper writes in his book titled A Sacred Oath.

The Times said Mr Esper was left “speechless” at the requests.

Mr Trump's son Donald Trump Jr, who testified before the January 6 Congressional committee this week, tweeted on Friday about the report

“I'm still trying to figure out the recent media outrage about my father possibly wanting to target Mexican drug cartel manufacturing facilities in Mexico,” he wrote.

“Is that supposed to be a bad thing?”

Former US representative Justin Amash replied to the tweet: “Yes, firing missiles into Mexico is a bad thing.”

The former president dismissed Mr Esper in November 2020, days after he lost the US presidential election.

Mr Trump and Mr Esper's relationship had been strained for months, ever since the defence secretary had publicly opposed sending the military to quell protests predominantly fuelled by the murder of George Floyd, who was black, by a white police officer.

When president, Donald Trump had police clear Lafayette Park for this photo op. AP
When president, Donald Trump had police clear Lafayette Park for this photo op. AP

Other excerpts from Mr Esper's book reportedly show that Mr Trump, in discussing the demonstrations in June 2020, had asked about the protesters: “Can't you just shoot them?”

Mr Trump also posted on social media that looters who joined protests following Floyd's death last year would be shot, internal Facebook documents shared with The Associated Press showed.

Agencies contributed to this report

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Blockchain is a form of distributed ledger technology, a digital system in which data is recorded across multiple places at the same time. Unlike traditional databases, DLTs have no central administrator or centralised data storage. They are transparent because the data is visible and, because they are automatically replicated and impossible to be tampered with, they are secure.

The main difference between blockchain and other forms of DLT is the way data is stored as ‘blocks’ – new transactions are added to the existing ‘chain’ of past transactions, hence the name ‘blockchain’. It is impossible to delete or modify information on the chain due to the replication of blocks across various locations.

Blockchain is mostly associated with cryptocurrency Bitcoin. Due to the inability to tamper with transactions, advocates say this makes the currency more secure and safer than traditional systems. It is maintained by a network of people referred to as ‘miners’, who receive rewards for solving complex mathematical equations that enable transactions to go through.

However, one of the major problems that has come to light has been the presence of illicit material buried in the Bitcoin blockchain, linking it to the dark web.

Other blockchain platforms can offer things like smart contracts, which are automatically implemented when specific conditions from all interested parties are reached, cutting the time involved and the risk of mistakes. Another use could be storing medical records, as patients can be confident their information cannot be changed. The technology can also be used in supply chains, voting and has the potential to used for storing property records.

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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

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Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
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Updated: May 06, 2022, 9:59 PM
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