The European Commission rejected on Thursday Apple’s criticism that an EU order to the company to pay back taxes to Ireland was political, noting the calculations were based on facts and Apple’s own data.
In an interview with the Irish Independent, Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook on Thursday described the EU’s imposition of a 13 billion euro ($14.5 billion) back tax bill as “total political crap” motivated in part by anti-U.S. bias.
READ MORE: Here’s why Ireland doesn’t want Apple’s $14.5B in back taxes
The European Commission’s Competition chief Margrethe Vestager, asked if she accepted that statement, told a news conference in Brussels:
“No, I will not. This is a decision based on the facts of the case,” she said.
She said the calculations of the back tax owned by Apple to Ireland were based on data provided by Apple itself and facts presented during hearings on Apple tax issues in the United States.
Vestager said she would meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew in Washington in September to further discuss the Apple tax case.
READ MORE: EU rules Apple must pay 13 billion euros in back taxes
In a statement posted to Apple’s website Tuesday, Cook accused the EU of targeting Apple.
“Beyond the obvious targeting of Apple, the most profound and harmful effect of this ruling will be on investment and job creation in Europe. Using the Commission’s theory, every company in Ireland and across Europe is suddenly at risk of being subjected to taxes under laws that never existed,” read the statement.
“Apple has long supported international tax reform with the objectives of simplicity and clarity. We believe these changes should come about through the proper legislative process, in which proposals are discussed among the leaders and citizens of the affected countries. And as with any new laws, they should be applied going forward — not retroactively.”
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