Dutch government says tax agreement not state aid

Deal meets internationally agreed standards government says

The European Commission said today that Starbucks’ deal with the Netherlands might constitute state aid. (Photograph: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)
The European Commission said today that Starbucks’ deal with the Netherlands might constitute state aid. (Photograph: PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images)

A Dutch tax agreement with Starbucks is not a form of state aid and meets internationally agreed standards, the government said today in reaction to a probe by the European Commission.

Dutch Deputy Finance Minister Eric Wiebes said in a letter to parliament that he was confident the inquiry would find no evidence of state support to the US coffee chain.

Reuters