“Brexit means Brexit, we have now been told; the future’s bright and the UK extracting itself from the clutches of the European Union (EU) could work out really really well,” Roger Aitken writes for Forbes. “Just trying to keep up with the tsunami of news, claims and counter claims since 23 June you would do well with an app to handle all the noise.”
“Then along comes the vexing issue of the other week’s £11bn back-tax demand against Apple on behalf of the Irish government, initiated by the Margrethe Vestager, who is currently serving as the European Commissioner for Competition,” Aitken writes. “Some great timing for sure, no? She is said to be a very shrewd and tough operator, so what is she doing here? Both Apple and the Irish government say they will appeal. Theresa May does not like it either and Tim Cook, Apple CEO, has stated in the Irish media that the fine is ‘total political crap.'”
“What’s to say there won’t possibly even be more exits by other EU Member States triggered by this, going forward?” Aitken wonders. “And, now US Presidential hopeful Donald Trump even has stepped into the breach over the Brexit ramifications and stirring things up even more. Moreover, he might even turn the tables on Hillary Clinton by upping the Brexit rhetoric and win on 8 November in the US. Just think Mr Trump was once a laughable 100-1 to win the Presidency. Now that would something.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Who says she was thinking at all?
SEE ALSO:
EU ministers line up to take tax bites out of Apple – September 12, 2016
Former EU competition commissioner: Vestager claim that Apple owes back taxes an incorrect use of EU law – September 2, 2016
Irish government to fight EU on Apple tax – September 2, 2016
Treasury accuses EU of trying to steal U.S. tax revenues with Apple decision – September 1, 2016
Irish residents opposed to EU’s tax demand of Apple – September 1, 2016
Apple Inc. pushes back against EU tax grab – September 1, 2016
Apple may repatriate billions of dollars next year after new U.S. President takes office – September 1, 2016
U.S. tax code allows for dramatic retaliation against EU overreach in Apple case – September 1, 2016
Apple CEO Tim Cook on EU tax demand: ‘No one did anything wrong here and Ireland is being picked on… It is total political crap’ – September 1, 2016
U.S. Treasury: The European Commission’s retroactive tax demands on Apple are unfair – August 30, 2016
EU demands Apple pay massive $14.5 billion in taxes plus interest – August 30, 2016
U.S. government warns EU: Do not hit Apple with a massive back tax bill – or else – August 25, 2016