MIDWAY ATOLL — The White House says President Barack Obama will lead a discussion of tax avoidance, spurred by the European Union’s recent decision about Apple, during the G-20 summit of major economies.
Obama arrives Saturday in China for the Group of 20 meeting.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest says there’s a need to address the problem of eroding tax bases in a way that’s fair to companies.
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He says the approach needs to be consistent and globally coordinated, rather than unilateral action by individual countries.
Earnest says the issue is highly technical and the US doesn’t expect a major breakthrough during the G-20.
The long-running debate escalated sharply earlier this week when the EU ordered Apple to pay Ireland $14.5 billion in back taxes, plus interest.
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