Twin WTO ruling on Airbus dispute

The World Trade Organisation upheld in May 2011 a ruling that Airbus benefited from some illegal government subsidies to develop almost its entire range of aircraft but overturned a more serious finding that the A380 super jumbo had received prohibited export subsidies.

The findings by the trade organisation followed an appeal in June 2010 by the European Union of a report into state support for Airbus that had left rival Boeing and the US administration claiming a clear victory.

BBC News, 18.5.11: WTO Airbus ruling leaves both sides claiming victory http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-13443055

European Commission: DG Trade: Press Release, 18.5.11: WTO Airbus Case – Appellate Body overturns key findings of the Panel in favour of the EU http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/press/index.cfm?id=709

European Commission: DG Trade: Background Fact Sheet: WTO disputes EU/US Large Civil Aircraft, September 2010 http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2010/september/tradoc_146486.pdf

WTO: Press Release, 18.5.11: Appellate Body issues report on Airbus dispute http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news11_e/316abr_e.htm

United States: Office of the US Trade Representative: Press Release, 18.5.11: WTO Appellate Body Confirms U.S. Win in Airbus Case: $18 Billion in Illegal European Subsidies to Airbus http://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2011/may/wto-appellate-body-confirms-us-win-airbus-case-18-bill

ESO: Background information: WTO rules that Boeing received $5.3bn in aid http://www.europeansources.info/record/wto-rules-that-boeing-received-5-3bn-in-aid/

EurActiv, 19.5.11: All sides claim victory in WTO Airbus ruling http://www.euractiv.com/transport/sides-claim-victory-wto-airbus-r-news-504960

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