EU and USA still opposed the WTO on subsidies to Airbus

GENEVA (Reuters) – The european Union has informed on Monday to the dispute settlement body of the world Trade Organization (WTO) that it had acted in a few days to comply with its funding of Airbus (PA:AIR) to the rules of the WTO, said a leader who attended the meeting.

The WTO has ruled partially in favor of the United States on may 15, in the conflict that has lasted for 14 years with the EU concerning subsidies to aerospace companies, paving the way for possible u.s. sanctions.

Airbus had indicated last week that the EU had taken steps to comply with the requirements of the WTO on the repayable advances granted to programs A380 and A350XWB, and the EU reiterated these progress Monday.

But a u.s. representative at the meeting stated that it was difficult to give credit to the statement of the EU and has requested the holding of “serious discussions” to settle the dispute, adding that Washington was willing to apply “counter-measures” if necessary.

The EU expects a similar ruling against Boeing (NYSE:BA) in the course of the year, which could trigger retaliatory measures in the opposite direction.

(Tom Miles, Véronique Tison for the French service)