Aircraft Industry: WTO ruled Boeing got improper aid - by Christopher Hinton

The World Trade Organization handed down an interim decision Wednesday in a long-running dispute over whether Boeing Co. received unfair government support, giving it an advantage over European aerospace rival Airbus.

People and organizations that have seen the report claim it hands the European Union a clear victory, condemning “massive subsidies” to Boeing, as characterized by one French minister in a government statement. “Today’s preliminary ruling clearly states that Boeing was involved in practices prohibited by the World Trade Organization,” concluded Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), in a separate statement.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative confirmed it received the confidential decision but declined to comment on its contents.

Photo: Airbus A330 tanker refueling two Euro fighters
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