"Apple said exchange rates, local import laws, biz practices and tax were at play"
It's that little one tucked in there that probably accounts for the majority of the difference, for all the companies examined; "biz practices".
But who should we blame? Them for being bastards or us for being schmucks?
Anyway, America won't be with us for much longer so we may as well let it enjoy what it does best while it can.