For many years, Boeing and the US government have cried unfair and illegal trade practices over EU subsidies of Airbus aircraft. Likewise, Airbus has alleged unfair US subsidies of Boeing planes. The two sides took their cases to the World Trade Organization (WTO), where the fight continues to this day – and a wide range of US and European products could soon find themselves in the crosshairs of this fight.

Background

In May 2018, the WTO affirmed a previous ruling in favor of the US in its case, finding that Airbus had indeed received illegal subsidies.

In March 2019, the WTO appellate ruled separately in favor of the EU in its case, finding that Boeing continues to benefit from illegal subsidies from the US government despite being compelled to
eliminate these subsidies in a previous ruling.

While the US’ case against support for Airbus is expected to conclude this summer – and the EU’s proceedings will be resolved later on – the US has proposed US$11 billion in preliminary tariffs on EU goods. This is the amount that the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) estimates the US has incurred in damages as a result of the subsidies. A final ruling on  damage is expected from the WTO this summer.

Although the preliminary list includes a wide range of consumer goods, such as cheese and wine, according to US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, the ultimate focus is on European aircrafts: “Our ultimate goal is to reach an agreement with the EU to end all WTO-inconsistent subsidies to large civil aircraft. When the EU ends these harmful subsidies, the additional U.S. duties imposed in response can be lifted.”

The European Commission responded a day later, with a spokesperson for the commission confirming that it will prepare to respond in kind in its proceedings: “The Commission is starting preparations so that the EU can promptly take action based on the arbitrator’s decision on retaliations rights in this case.”

Impact

The preliminary list released by USTR on April 8 includes two sections. The first section would apply only to France, Germany, Spain and the UK, and is seemingly focused squarely at Airbus. Notably, this section includes various types of aircrafts and their parts, including:

Product name (Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) statistical reporting number)

• Helicopters not exceeding 998kg (8802.11.0030)
• Helicopters between 998kg and 2,000kg (8802.11.0045)
• Helicopters exceeding 2,000kg (8802.12.0040)
• New aircraft, passenger transports, exceeding 15,000kg (8802.40.0040)
• New aircraft, cargo transport, exceeding 15,000kg (8802.40.0060)
• Undercarriages (8803.20.0030)
• Fuselages and fuselage sections (8803.30.0030)

The second section includes various consumer goods from all 28 member states of the EU. This list includes a wide range of foods, drinks and textiles, notably:

Product name (HTS subheading)

• Swordfish steaks (0303.57.00)
• Salmon fillets (0304.41.00)
• Trout fillets (0304.42.00)
• Crabmeat (0306.14.20)
• Yogurt (0403.10.50)
• Butter (0405.10.10, 0405.10.20)
• Several types of cheese
• Chocolate milk (2202.99.10)
• Various types of wine
• Various essential oils
• Articles of cotton (5609.00.10)
• Articles of vegetable fibers (5609.00.20)
• Carpets made of wool or fine animal hair (5701.10.40, 5701.10.90)

This list could also represent a sizable threat to US-EU trade more broadly – dramatically raising the costs for US consumers of these goods, affecting the European suppliers’ bottom lines – and risking that US products could face similar tariffs when the EU prepares its retaliation list in response to its pending case against the US.

Next Steps

• May 16: Deadline for requesting to appear at the public hearing (including summary of testimony)
• May 15: The inter-agency Section 301 Committee is scheduled to hold a public hearing
• May 28: Deadline for submitting written comments, including post-hearing rebuttal comments

USTR is launching a process to receive comments on the potential impacts of these tariffs, and to amend the list as needed.