The US trade dispute against almost everyone could have its next chapter in Europe. And Europe warns that it will not stand still. In fact, the European Union has threatened Wednesday to respond to Washington if it finally imposes the 7.5 billion dollars (about 6.8 billion euros) on customs duties authorized by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the framework of An old dispute over Airbus and Boeing.

"The European Union takes note of the decision of the arbitration panel of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the case of Airbus, and the level of possible countermeasures, " said Commerce Commissioner Cecilia Malmström in a statement. "If the United States decides to impose countermeasures authorized by the WTO, they will be pushing the EU into a situation where we will have no choice but to do the same," he adds.

The confrontation between both parties dates back to 2004, when the US broke a bilateral agreement with the EU in 1992 in which certain subsidies to companies were recognized and denounced aid to Airbus before the WTO. The EU responded with another complaint, pointing to Boeing's scheme to sell abroad.

That was the origin of a series of cross-complaints that are about to live a new episode. "Both the EU and the US have been found guilty by the WTO dispute settlement system for continuing to provide certain illegal subsidies to their aircraft manufacturers. In the case of Boeing, the EU will also be granted rights in some months to impose countermeasures against the United States as a result of its continued non-compliance with WTO rules. A preliminary list of US products that will be considered for countermeasures was published last April, "the community statement said.

"However, the mutual imposition of countermeasures would only inflict damage to companies and citizens on both sides of the Atlantic and damage global trade and the aviation industry in general at a delicate time," he continues, hence Malmström advocates the need of a dialogue and peaceful exit to the conflict. "The European Commission has constantly communicated to the United States that the European Union is ready to work with them on a fair and balanced solution for our respective aeronautical industries ... Our willingness to find a fair agreement remains unchanged," he concludes. .

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Airbus
  • Boeing
  • U.S
  • European Union
  • Europe
  • European Comission

BrexitStephen Barclay: "I doubt that Spanish SMEs are prepared for a hard Brexit"

Special Economic News All you need to know about energy after the latest regulatory changes

BrexitLondres tries a third way on the safeguard to unlock Brexit