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Significance
Earlier, on August 30, the Commission said the Irish government's tax arrangements with Apple constituted illegal state aid that required a payment of 13 billion euros (14.4 billion dollars) to the Irish authorities. The cases have given rise to suspicions that the EU authorities are unfairly targeting US companies.
Impacts
Short-term relations with the US government will deteriorate but -- if the Microsoft experience is any guide -- without lasting damage.
The Apple ruling may bolster the Commission's reputation, as concerns over corporate power and inequality resonate with the EU public.
Once it is outside the EU, the United Kingdom may have few attractions as a hub for US internet operations.
Keywords:
EU,
EUR,
United States,
Ireland,
EU/US,
economy,
industry,
international relations,
foreign trade,
internet,
technology,
telecommunications,
corporate,
fiscal,
judicial,
regulation
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2016
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