Reuters reports that in a joint interview in Zeit Online the finance ministers of France and Germany support the idea of a 21% minimum corporate tax rate, as suggested by the U.S. government.

"I, personally, have nothing against the U.S. proposal," Germany's Olaf Scholz was quoted as saying. "If that is the result of negotiations, we would also be agreed," France's Bruno Le Maire said.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said this month she was working with G20 countries to agree on a global corporate minimum tax rate, and put forward a figure of 21%.

A rate of 12.5% for multinationals had been under discussion for new rules being negotiated at the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development.