MPs will get the lowdown on Starbucks Dutch tax deal: minister

MPs are to be given more insight into the deal struck between the Dutch tax office and US coffee chain Starbucks, junior finance minister Erik Wiebes has agreed.

Wiebes said earlier he would be willing to give parliament more information into confidential tax office agreements involving multinationals. Starbucks, he said at the time, was not such a case because its deal is being looked into by the European Commission.

However, so much about this agreement is already known that ‘pragmatism wins from principles,’ Wiebes told MPs on Wednesday, broadcaster Nos reports.  He is, therefore, willing to brief members of the parliamentary finance committee in confidence. This will give parliament a ‘full, clear and transparent picture,’ Wiebes said.

The European Commission is looking into the deal because it could be regarded as unfair state support for industry.