Does anyone have a good handle on what the big hoopla is about on the OECD black list? Other the the lost of some pride, what are any of the real consequences stemming from being on these lists?

http://www.oecd.org/document/57/0,33..._1_1_1,00.html

Only 3 left in the Blacklist after Uruguay, Costa Rica, the Philippines and Malaysia ( Labuan ) were put in the grey list.

The OECD is the champion of competition in every other field -- in trade, in telecommunications, in ideas -- but not in taxation

Actually, those states were removed yesterday after they agreed to the OECD standards as well...the black list is history. Now the only thing left to do (for now..) is to have those 12 bilateral tax agreements to keep us off this list.

But as the rumours go, there will be other measures and ways to pressure into more outside control....

But where are the teeth of this thing?

Well, the black list should have had some serious implications in terms of trade and financial service/transfers, but what exactly... I do not know...

Maybe it was just written up to scare some of those money laundering / tax evading / too competitive (by whatever means) finance centre sheltering / corrupt pirate (or was it native American?) states... as mentioned by some German politicians

Never read into the details, the tit-for-tat interviews by those well paid politicians of the countries involved was far too interesting to follow instead of actually getting behind the story. Maybe that was the plan all along?

If that's all there is, then all the hoopla is just over-reaction. But I can't imagine Switzerland capitulating banking secrecy over being teased as a black sheep. There must be other ramifications.

Hypocritical yanks and Brits

It's easier to take the p1ss in USA or UK
Switzerland is a handy scapegoat though.

I maintain Germany is ranting just to give it's politicos plenty of time to shift their money elsewhere...

But where's the stick?

What are the real implications of Switzerland being on an OECD list, and why is this being taken so seriously and dramatically?

The OECD isn't able to draft international laws, is it? Is it that Switzerland will not be invited to certain parties?

The risk is that other organisations (G20 most likely) might base sanctions on the OECD research if they decide to fight against tax havens.

This will blow over in about a years time probably with nary a consequence. It's a total red-herring in terms of the problems with the world financial center. If Gordon Brown wanted someone to blame for the financial debacle, all he needs to do is look in the mirror.