EU Chief Talks Brexit, Apple's Tax Bill

European Commission President Jean-Claude Junker said Wednesday in his annual State of the Union address that the United Kingdom may not be granted access to the single market following June's Brexit vote.

According to the UK-based Telegraph, the most senior member of the European Union said that Britain in a post-Brexit world "could not have a la carte access" to all the benefits of the European Union.

Junker added that the European Union both respects and regrets the country's decision to formally leave the union and reaffirmed that the union itself "is not at risk."

'This Commission Is Fighting Tax Evasion'

Junker also talked about the European Union's initiatives to tackle tax evasion in the region. Although it appears that the $14.5 billion tax bill the European Union believes Apple Inc. AAPL owes the Irish government in back taxes was not specifically mentioned it may be implied he was directly referring to Apple.

Junker said it's the position of the European Union to oversee a "fair playing field" for all member states. This implies that all companies, regardless of size, "must pay its taxes when it makes its profits."

"I promised you I would fight tax evasion and many of you did not believe me ... but this Commission is fighting tax evasion."

Posted In: NewsEurozoneLegalMarketsApple Back TaxesApple IrelandBrexitEuropean UnionEuropean Union Single MarketJean-Claude Junker
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