Apple boss denies Ireland offered ‘sweetheart’ tax deal

Apple boss denies Ireland offered ‘sweetheart’ tax deal

Tim Cook says European Commission ruling, which found Ireland had granted the tech giant illegal state aid, is 'maddening'

LONDON (AA) - Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook has denied claims his company was offered a “sweetheart” tax deal by Ireland for basing its European business in the country.

Cook told the Irish state broadcaster RTE on Thursday morning that Tuesday’s European Commission ruling, which found Ireland had granted the technology giant illegal state aid, was “maddening” and came “from a political place”.

“It has no basis in fact or in law and, unfortunately, it’s one of those things we have to work through,” he said.

“When you’re accused of doing something that is so foreign to your values, it brings out an outrage in you and that’s how we feel. We have, Apple has always been about doing the right thing, never the easy thing.”

The radio interview was Cook’s first since Europe’s antitrust commissioner Margrethe Vestager said the technology giant must pay €13 billion ($14.5 billion) in back taxes. “Member states cannot give tax benefits to selected companies – this is illegal under EU state aid rules,” Vestager had said earlier.

But Cook insisted: “We haven’t done anything wrong and the Irish government hasn’t done anything wrong.” He added that Apple had nothing to apologize for.

Asked by RTE if the Irish government had given Apple special treatment or a “sweetheart” deal, Cook replied: “No, never.”

Ireland never offered Apple a deal that was not made available to other companies, he added.

Ireland has a long-established policy of using lower corporate tax rates to attract investment from multinational companies.

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has indicated they will appeal the European Commission ruling, but differences among ministers over how to enforce the ruling could put strain on the country’s fragile minority government.


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