US Treasury Secretary to meet with EU antitrust head, try to block collection of Apple back taxes

Lew recently contacted Vestager, trying to persuade her not to order any collection of back taxes, according to Bloomberg. Sources noted that a few days ago, Vestager's office sent out two draft decisions with scenarios for how much Apple might owe.

Since 2014 the E.U. has been investigating whether Irish tax arrangements with Apple constituted unfair state aid in exchange for providing jobs in the country. In fact a preliminary ruling found against Apple and Ireland, but a final ruling has been waiting for some time.

Lew has previously claimed that American firms were being unfairly targeted in E.U. investigations of state aid, even though some European businesses have been subject to them as well. Companies like Amazon, Starbucks, and McDonald's have either come under scrutiny or already been ordered to pay back money to the countries granting special tax breaks.

Both Apple and the Irish government have denied any wrongdoing, and the latter has promised to fight any ordered payments.

The country's Finance Minister, Michael Noonan, recently said that the E.U. could issue a decision as soon as this month. He also cautioned, however, that the U.K.'s vote to leave the E.U. in late June might cause further delays.