US subsidies to Boeing

27.11.2014

Question for written answer E-009791-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Herbert Reul (PPE)

In line with the WTO’s ‘level playing field’ approach, governments and companies are required to observe certain rules in order to prevent distortions of competition, for example through the award of unlawful subsidies, and it is essential that the ongoing TTIP negotiations should not lead to these rules being abolished or suspended. The US programme of subsidies totalling USD 8.7 billion to be paid out to Boeing over the period from 2024 to 2040 to help fund the development of the Boeing 777X airliner constitutes a breach of the level playing field principle, however, and it is European aircraft manufacturers, among others, who are suffering. Similar subsidies for the Boeing 787 programme have already been deemed unlawful by the WTO (case DS353).

1. Is the Commission aware of the extensive US Government subsidies being paid to Boeing and of the problems facing European competitors as a result?

2. What diplomatic and political steps will the Commission take to address this issue?

3. Will the Commission file a third case with the WTO in an effort to restore a level playing field?