The EU is out of control and burning through cash it doesn't have. With few exceptions none of the multilayered intelligencia who determine things like " we must destroy thousands of acres of olive trees to make room to plant corn" are using a very narrow view of time and place. The last thing we need is more corn. One of the best foods we need more of is olive oil. If they realized that better marketing would solve their problem without destroying national treasures we could get more and cheaper olive oil and avoid corn meal, chips, tacos, etc.
Do you think the top EU officials care about money? Like every big organization, they don't give a damn.
It is not their own money, it is not their family money, it is not their countries money. And why will they care about the union's money. Everyone chip in right? Just look at UN.
Face it Europe, you have a failed state and no way to bail them out so you're coming after American countries to have them bail you out... again. If money weren't a problem you wouldn't care. This is a money grab, plain and simple.
Failed state? Ireland is one of the most resilient and successful small countries in the World. We don't want the money because we don't feel we did anything illegal. Apple's tiny tax bill is a result of loopholes in the GLOBAL tax system. The rules have been changed since 2014 and now all parties are compliant.
The EU are punishing Ireland because they can't touch our LEGAL low corporate tax rate. Believe or not, we'd rather have the long term investment from multinationals than this once off windfall (which by the time every EU country has named their price will be well other EUR 1bn to Ireland.
Face it Europe, you have a failed state and no way to bail them out so you're coming after American countries to have them bail you out... again. If money weren't a problem you wouldn't care. This is a money grab, plain and simple.
Failed state? Ireland is one of the most resilient and successful small countries in the World. We don't want the money because we don't feel we did anything illegal. Apple's tiny tax bill is a result of loopholes in the GLOBAL tax system. The rules have been changed since 2014 and now all parties are compliant.
The EU are punishing Ireland because they can't touch our LEGAL low corporate tax rate. Believe or not, we'd rather have the long term investment from multinationals than this once off windfall (which by the time every EU country has named their price will be well other EUR 1bn to Ireland.
The comment did not say Ireland is a failed state. So just take it easy.
Every country has their issues. But if a country, like Greece, Spain, Italy, spent like there is no tomorrow. And they don't care much about paying it back. Then it is a problem. Unless they want China to built out the whole country.
Unlike Japan and USA which have unbelievable amount of debt, these countries have a super solid industrial background of which can generate lots of money if they keep their belt tight.
Anyway, if some EU countries spent like no tomorrow, EU will not last long. Given the 3 main columns of EU is already missed one.
Apple is probably the number one payer of taxes on the planet, certainly in the US and according to Tim Cook in Ireland. This is the EC/EU using Apple as a test case. If they succeed in getting a sizable payout from Apple, they will work down the line to every American company doing business in the EU.
After all, those budget shortfalls in Greece, Italy, Spain, etc have to be covered by someone.
How about Exxon and Shell? They are super big and rich too. And I don't think any big company will not put out a fight
The thing you guys don't realise is that all the US corporations set up in Ireland because it's a way for them to avoid paying their due taxes in other European countries. It's not just Apple, it's Google, Facebook, Starbucks etc.
It's absolutely disgraceful the amount of tax they get away with. You should do some research into it before saying it's a money grab from other EU states.
Stackbucks for example paid just £8.6m over 14 years to the UK with £3billion in sales during that period.
They're able to do this because of dodgy tax systems that Ireland has set up.
It's not right and none of us should be supporting Apple or any other company that does this. Americans might be allergic to tax, hence the reason your public services are non-existent, but even you should be able to recognise this is messed up.
True. These companies did find the loophole but they are still following the law. Unless the law doesn't matter to EU.
What EU should do is force Ireland and other EU countries to change their law. If EU is brave enough and have the power.
EU can't be the referee and player at the same time. Not to mention, EU is not exactly follow the rule of WTO.
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How about Exxon and Shell? They are super big and rich too. And I don't think any big company will not put out a fight