Nethercutt praises
decision to file trade case against Airbus
‘If we must fight…
then let the battle be joined,’ Nethercutt says
October 6, 2004
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. George R. Nethercutt Jr. (R-Wash.)
issued the following statement today after the United States
Trade Representative confirmed the U.S. is filing a trade
case with the World Trade Organization in the dispute over
aircraft manufacturing subsidies offered to Airbus by the
European Union.
“I commend the support that the United States Trade
Representative has offered to Boeing and I fully support this
filing at the WTO.
“The E.U. should not doubt our resolve on this case.
The resolution of this matter will decide the future of the
American commercial aviation industry and we will press this
issue to the fullest extent in the WTO.
“The U.S. position is simple - no new subsidies for
Airbus. What is done is done, but we must draw a line in the
sand and insist on WTO compliance on subsidization from this
point forward. We cannot afford to delay, or to kick this
decision down the road, to allow Airbus one more bite at the
subsidy apple.
“By filing the case today, USTR is creating
an opening for serious dialogue to avert a full-fledged trade
fight. If we must fight for our position in the WTO, then
let the battle be joined.”
On Monday, October 4, Rep. Nethercutt introduced H.Con.Res.
509, which calls upon the President to withdraw the United
States from the 1992 agreement with the E.U. limiting commercial
aircraft subsidies, and to file a trade case at the WTO.
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