Boeing Supports U.S. Action Against Illegal Airbus Subsidies

CHICAGO, Dec. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) issued the following statement today after the U.S. Trade Representative continued its efforts to ensure European Union compliance with last June's WTO ruling regarding illegal subsidies to Airbus.

"Boeing is disappointed that EADS/Airbus and European governments have failed to comply with the WTO's landmark ruling against launch aid and other forms of illegal government subsidies that Airbus has received for more than 40 years. Boeing strongly supports all the efforts by the U.S. Trade Representative to seek full compliance with the removal of all the illegal government subsidies to Airbus -- particularly market-distorting launch aid, the most pernicious form of subsidy Airbus was found to have received. There can be no compliance with the WTO's ruling that ignores any non-commercial launch aid that Airbus is currently receiving for the A350. Despite the very clear WTO ruling, EADS/Airbus and European governments have failed to remove outstanding subsidies. This illegal subsidization of Airbus products - plane after plane – is unsustainable and must stop now."

Contact: Tim Neale, 703-465-3220

SOURCE Boeing