WTO rules EU Airbus subsidies hurt US business, workers

THE World Trade Organisation has ruled in favour of the US in a case alleging that unfair state subsidies from European Union member states to Airbus over 40 years has hurt US business and workers.

A dispute settlement panel at the WTO panel found that every instance of launch aid from certain EU states caused adverse effects to US interests, according to a statement released by the office of the US Trade Representative, Ron Kirk.

The panel also concluded that certain launch aid provided for the A380 superjumbo jet was a prohibited export subsidy under WTO rules, reported the American Shipper.

"What emerges clear as day from this panel report is that Europe has never been able to provide launch aid in a manner that is consistent with its WTO obligations," said USTR lawyer Tim Reif. "This panel report should therefore be a strong signal to the European Union and the member states to refrain from future launch aid disbursements."
(Source:www.schednet.com)