Wyden Blasts EU Airbus Subsidies, Calls for Strong Enforcement of Trade Rules

WASHINGTON -- Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., blasted the European Union for funneling billions in illegal subsidies to Airbus, as a new World Trade Organization report confirmed today.

“The WTO today sent a clear message to Europe: Stop heaping billions in illegal subsidies on European companies,” said Wyden. “The massive subsidies the EU keeps piling on Airbus are inconsistent with global trade rules, and cost Americans tens of billions in exports and good-paying jobs for aerospace workers in Oregon and throughout the United States. To restore fairness for American manufacturers and workers, we must vigorously enforce the rules.”

Today, the WTO released findings confirming that the EU failed to withdraw billions in subsidies it previously provided to Airbus, despite having been directed to do so by the WTO five years ago, and in fact provided billions more in illegal assistance on top of the previous aid. The panel found that this assistance resulted in tens of billions of dollars of lost exports for U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing. In addition to employing about 1,700 workers at its plant in Gresham, Oregon, Boeing purchases services and components from more than 250 Oregon businesses.

The Airbus case is one of the largest and longest-running disputes in WTO history.

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