> paying taxes on profit is the deal we signed up for by operating businesses in the US.
What happens when you don't sold your product in the US? Why does the profit of Apple selling an iPad in UK have to result in them paying taxes in US instead on UK?
Why does Apple Operating Europe (Cork, Ireland, 100% owned by Apple Inc. but not operated in the US) has to pay them?
I really understand and adhere to the basic idea you are trying to defend but it's just not so simple with multinationals (Apple or any other), especially if the regulatory system leaves enough holes for them to make structures like this.