EU argues Apple's €13bn tax case based on 'contradictory reasoning'

EU seeking to overturn judgment last year that found company's Irish units weren't liable for huge payments

General Court judgment was a dramatic setback to Commissioner Margrethe Vestager’s probes of national tax rulings that she says were an illegal subsidy for some large multinational firms.

The EU is seeking to overturn Apple's €13bn tax dispute, saying judges used “contradictory reasoning” when they found the company’s Irish units weren’t liable for huge payments.

A summary of the appeal published on Monday shows the EU’s determination to challenge the critical July General Court judgment. The decision was a dramatic setback to Commissioner Margrethe Vestager’s probes of national tax rulings that she says were an illegal subsidy for some large multinational firms.