U.S. Warns EU Against New Aid for Airbus (Reuters)

[Up2Late]

(Well at least we aren't making threats this time)

U.S. Warns EU Against New Aid for Airbus
Fri Apr 8, 2005 06:13 PM ET

By Doug Palmer

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States warned on Friday it will resume its case against the European Union at the World Trade Organization if EU member states approve a new round of government loans for aircraft maker Airbus. "In the event that the EU proceeds with additional subsidies for Airbus large civil aircraft, the United States will return to WTO dispute settlement," said Richard Mills, a spokesman for the U.S. Trade Representative's office. However, the United States remains ready to continue negotiations on a deal to end the dispute past a Monday deadline the two sides set three months ago, he said.

The United States and the 25-nation EU agreed in January to put aside competing WTO cases over government support for aircraft rivals Boeing and Airbus and try to reach a deal by April 11 to eliminate subsidies. "The U.S. regrets that it has not been possible to conclude such an agreement," Mills said. An EU official in Brussels said Europe would refile its case only if the United States does first.

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson "has no intention of going to the WTO because he still doesn't think it's the appropriate route," the EU official said. "But he has said, on the other hand, 'If they do it I will respond."' The aircraft subsidy talks broke down in March with the United States accusing the EU of trying to broaden the Jan. 11 terms to include Japanese government support for Boeing and benefits the company still receives from a tax arrangement the WTO has ruled is an illegal export subsidy.

(more at link above)

[saigon68]

1. The paper tiger, "growls again".

The Sheep at Boeing applaud.

[katsy]

2. Here's a plan you boobs:

1. Dissolve the WTO, NAFTA. GATT.

2. If corporations want to go into a foreign market, then let them the fuck work it out with that country (i.e., produce X% of the product in that country in exchange for opening the market). If it benefits a corporation to open a foreign market, fine. Let them do it on their own dime, not on the backs of taxpayers.

3. If corporations want to market in America, let them work out the same kind of deal: XX% of your products produced here by American workers if you want access to our markets.

[applegrove]

3. Or Boeing gets to rule the world! Excuse me but the USA gives

corporate welfare all day long and then ignores GATT rulings. They ignore the rulings in their own NAFTA agreements.

Ignore them!

[Iterate]

4. Poor, poor Boeing

Waaay back when, governments talked of helping fledgling businesses and industries, as with Airbus. Then the buzzword became "partnership'. Now it's clear that the US government has become the 'muscle' side of the family. If you can't compete call, 1-800-neocons.

Though I'm no company historian, I don't believe Boeing was has been without a substantial military contract since it built seaplanes for the Navy in 1918.

[Vidar]

5. No one is afraid of the shrub. We're no longer a threat even

militarily because the army is camped in some desert killing scorpions.

[SouthernDem2004]

6. So, you people support the EU driving Boeing out of business? Why?