U.S. steps up attack against EU subsidies for Airbus

U.S. steps up attack against EU subsidies for Airbus    The Bush administration has filed an additional consultation request to the World Trade Organization after the Welsh Assembly gave '5.2 million ($9.3 million) for training new workers for the Airbus A350 plane.
   The Welsh Assembly announced the subsidy on Jan. 26.
   The U.S. government’s WTO case against European subsidies to Airbus concerns launch aid for the A350, A380 and earlier planes, as well as other government supports to Airbus. The U.S. government says the subsidies run counter to the European Union’s WTO obligations.
   “We continue to prefer a negotiated solution,” said U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman in a statement. “Unfortunately, the EU member states have continued to grant new subsidies to Airbus, even as our WTO case proceeds. By taking this step, we are ensuring that the new subsidies will be included in our case.”
   The U.S. government filed its additional consultation request on Jan. 31. Its original consultations were filed to the WTO on Oct. 6, 2004. The WTO established a panel on July 20, 2005, and the case is ongoing.