Europe steps up efforts to collect $15 billion from Apple

The European Union is prosecuting Ireland over its refusal to gather €13 billion ($15.3 billion) in unpaid charges from Apple.

The European Commission - Europe's best against trust expert - decided in 2016 that the Irish government had conceded illicit guide to Apple (AAPL, Tech30) by aiding the iPhone producer keep its assessment charge misleadingly low for over 20 years.

Ireland has since blamed the EU for intruding with its sway. Apple has shielded its own particular activities and is mounting a lawful test in EU courts.

Alluding the case to the European Court of Justice is an acceleration that was normal.

"Over one year after the Commission embraced this choice, Ireland has still not recuperated the cash," EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said on Wednesday.

"We obviously comprehend that recuperation in specific cases might be more perplexing than in others, and we are constantly prepared to help," she included. "Yet, [EU members] need to gain adequate ground to reestablish rivalry."

Ireland's back service said Wednesday that while it has "never acknowledged the Commission's investigation" in the Apple case, it was attempting to recuperate the duties.

"Irish authorities and specialists have been occupied with concentrated work to guarantee that the state agrees to all its recuperation commitments as quickly as time permits," it said in an announcement.

Apple did not promptly react to a demand for input.

Chief Tim Cook has beforehand said the decision had "no premise truth be told or in law," calling it "clear focusing of Apple."