EU: Apple CEO Tim Cook meets EU’s antitrust Chief

Apple Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook had a private meeting with the European Union’s antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager as EU regulators close in on a final decision into the iPhone-maker’s tax deals in Ireland.

The Brussels meeting came the same day as Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny described as “false and baseless” claims that Ireland is a tax haven for the company. Apple and the European Commission both confirmed the talks took place but didn’t elaborate on what was discussed.

Ireland may eventually be forced to recoup billions of euros in unpaid taxes from Apple, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. The probe is the most high profile investigation in an EU crackdown on tax deals between countries and multinationals that’s also embroiled companies including Starbucks Corp. and a unit of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV in the Netherlands and Luxembourg.

The EU is examining whether Ireland gave Apple a special tax deal in return for a pledge to create jobs in the country.

Full content: Bloomberg

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