More digression-
CarolC is correct in essence, except for her assertion that "large crown corporations influenced [in this case] decisions made in Parliament," which with regard to this Act is untrue.
The whole affair was complicated by the fact that East India consigned the tea to particular merchants, cutting others out. The ships that were carrying the tea were American, Nantucket the home port. How much this had to do with the eventual separation of citizens into loyalists and those wishing to separate, could be the subject for a long dissertation.

"Initially, the East India Company had suggested that the 3d per pound tax should be removed to encourage the colonists to buy the tea. [Lord North's ministry] could not do this on principle, since the Declaraory Act passed by Rockingham''s ministry did say that the British government could legislate for the colonies, and Britain needed (in his eyes) to maintain the right to legislate."
http://www.boston-tea-party.org/tea-act.html