Tim Cook travels to Europe, mostly to Ireland to claim the award given to him by a 40-year career company. Ireland has always been Apple's pillar in Europe, although in recent years this relationship has become a problem for both of them.
In 2016, the European Commission found that Apple had received illicit help from Ireland forcing the company to pay 13 billion euros in taxes back. Apple and Ireland have appealed the decision and are still awaiting final judgment in European courts. Appropriately for that reason, Cook lost today a land tax reform for "really good companies."
European tax reform is needed
European laws allow you to declare a portion of your money in one, multinational company they choose countries like Ireland for a very low tax rate. However, the growth of companies such as Apple or Google is forcing the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to make global changes where international companies are to be moved.
"It is very difficult to know how to tax a multinational company, we desperately want it to be fair. I think that, logically, everyone knows that it is necessary to re-evaluate it, you would certainly be the last person to say that the current system or previous plan was the perfect solution. I hope and hope that they too (OECD) will find a solution"
Celebrating Apple's 40th anniversary in Ireland with our amazing and growing team at Hollyhill! Your hard work and dedication to our customers and the communities we serve demonstrates the very best of what we stand for. Here's the next 40! 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/ADiRz3yoOP
– Tim Cook (@tim_cook) January 20, 2020
In addition to the petition, Tim also spoke about privacy. Apple's chief executive also said it was needed more law in the area of ​​privacy and must pass the privacy laws of the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for 2018.
"I think that a rule is needed in this area, it's probably surprising that a business person is talking about regulation, but it's become clear that companies won't be careful in matters of privacy. We were one of the first to support the GDPR, believing that it is generally the best, not just Europe. We believe it is necessary but not enough. It needs to move on and that is necessary for privacy to return to where it should be
Tax reforms in Europe are a real problem that many countries are willing to treat themselves with direct taxation on these companies, however. the best would be law at European standards That will solve these problems.
