Airbus claims victory on WTO appeal

Published 8:43 am Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Here’s a report from the Associated Press on a breaking story about the World Trade Organization’s ruling on alleged illegal government subsidies by Boeing rival Airbus:

GENEVA – European aircraft maker Airbus claims a World Trade Organization panel has overturned an earlier ruling that it received illegal subsidies from European governments.

Airbus chief executive Tom Enders claimed “a big win for Europe” shortly before the WTO appeals panel ruling was due to be released Wednesday.

Enders said in a statement that the European Union had won “on all key elements.”

The United States had brought the case to the WTO complaining that the subsidies were illegal.

The WTO ruled in the first instance in June that Airbus had gained an unfair advantage over U.S. competitor Boeing Co. through billions worth of low-interest loans, infrastructure provisions, and research and development grants.