The Republic of Ireland has called for an international clampdown on multinationals shifting profits around the world to avoid tax, after criticism that Irish loopholes helped technology giant Apple to shrink its tax bill.
A headline-friendly clampdown on tax-avoiding multinational companies is also in the works.
EU authorities also want to use the outrage over the Panama Papers to bolster a planned clampdown on tax avoidance by multinationals.
Britain has been attacked by a senior US official for undermining progress on a global clampdown on tax avoidance by multinationals ahead of an international agreement to be published at the G20 talks in the autumn.
The Irish government has defended its tax arrangements with Apple as Brussels prepares to accuse Ireland of providing illegal state aid to the iPhone maker in a clampdown on tax avoidance schemes employed by multinationals.
The European commission's top competition regulator, Joaquín Almunia, turned up the pressure for a clampdown on aggressive corporate tax planning, calling for multinationals to "pay their fair share".
The second method is the one that the chancellor is keen to clampdown on.
Clampdown on immigration?
A clampdown on property costs.
* - such as the clampdown on roaming charges.
