WASHINGTON, March 12 (UPI) -- U.S. officials and Boeing Co. are calling a negative World Trade Organization ruling a victory, saying a rival company did the same, only worse.
"It is now clear that European subsidies to Airbus are far larger -- by multiples -- and far more distortive than anything that the United States does for Boeing," U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in a statement concerning the WTO conclusion the U.S. unfairly subsidized Boeing, but at a comparatively small amount compared to European Union subsidies provided for Airbus.
"The United States is ready to address all of the WTO findings, and we expect Europe to do the same," The Wall Street Journal quoted Kirk as saying.
The WTO said the government provided Boeing with $3 billion to $4 billion in tax breaks and research grants that violated international standards.
The EU in a separate case, was found to have provided Airbus with $18 billion in illegal aid.
Airbus is a division of the European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co.
The two sides are now battling it on out on how to make amends for the indiscretions.
Airbus has proposed a set of changes that the United States has challenged as insufficient, the Journal said.
