Today, Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09) issued the following statement in response to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) final ruling that launch aid to Airbus is an illegal subsidy:
“Today’s ruling makes it clear that Airbus airplanes have been illegally subsidized by the European Union governments. This ruling is a big win for Washington state aerospace workers and companies.
“Participating in trade with our global partners boosts the American economy and the American worker, but when our partners do not abide by their obligations under existing trade agreements it puts our businesses and workers at a disadvantage. We must demand enforcement of our agreements.
“Today’s ruling agreed with U.S. claims that, rather than competing on a level playing field with U.S.-built aircraft, European governments provided Airbus with an unfair competitive advantage, shifting market share toward Europe and away from U.S. aircraft manufacturing jobs.
“In light of this ruling, European governments and Airbus should immediately end their practice of launch aid, comply with the WTO’s ruling, and cease all plans for illegal subsidies to future planes. Boeing workers are among the best in the world and can compete directly in the aerospace industry but, in order to do so, we must ensure that the policies of our trading partners and international businesses comply with global trade rules.”
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“Today’s ruling makes it clear that Airbus airplanes have been illegally subsidized by the European Union governments. This ruling is a big win for Washington state aerospace workers and companies.
“Participating in trade with our global partners boosts the American economy and the American worker, but when our partners do not abide by their obligations under existing trade agreements it puts our businesses and workers at a disadvantage. We must demand enforcement of our agreements.
“Today’s ruling agreed with U.S. claims that, rather than competing on a level playing field with U.S.-built aircraft, European governments provided Airbus with an unfair competitive advantage, shifting market share toward Europe and away from U.S. aircraft manufacturing jobs.
“In light of this ruling, European governments and Airbus should immediately end their practice of launch aid, comply with the WTO’s ruling, and cease all plans for illegal subsidies to future planes. Boeing workers are among the best in the world and can compete directly in the aerospace industry but, in order to do so, we must ensure that the policies of our trading partners and international businesses comply with global trade rules.”
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