EU to File Counter Complaint Vs. Boeing

05/31/2005

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union decided Tuesday to file a counter complaint at the World Trade Organization against the United States, claiming Boeing Co. (BA) receives illegal aid - launching a new trade war with Washington.

The move, announced by EU trade chief Peter Mandelson, reactivates a legal process at the WTO that was frozen by the EU when it entered negotiations with Washington in January to try to cut aid to U.S.-based Boeing and its European rival Airbus. It is also a reaction to Washington’s decision late Monday to abandon months of talks and take the EU to a legal panel at the WTO for Airbus subsidies.

“I can assure you Europe’s interests will be fully defended,” Mandelson said, adding that he was “disappointed that the United States has chosen this confrontation with Europe.”

Mandelson blamed the United States for escalating the dispute into a full-blown trade war.

“America’s decision will, I fear, spark the biggest, most difficult and costly legal dispute in the WTO’s history,” he said, adding it would be “manifestly expensive and (involve) quite destructive litigation.”

In announcing the U.S. decision late Monday, Trade Representative Rob Portman said the Bush administration felt it had to act because of preparations being made by EU member nations to commit $1.7 billion to Airbus for developing a new airplane, the A350, which is seen as a direct competitor to Boeing’s new 787 Dreamliner in the market for midsize, long-distance jets.