Airbus and Boeing each claim WTO decision as a win

A big trade ruling in the long battle between Airbus and Boeing left both sides cheering. The WTO said Tuesday that the EU helped Airbus with unfair subsidies that hurt sales of Boeing's wide-body jets. But the organization also overturned a previous ruling that found the subsidies were hurting sales of the single-aisle 737, Boeing's most popular plane. US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said the decision "confirms once and for all that the EU has long ignored WTO rules, and even worse, EU aircraft subsidies have cost American aerospace companies tens of billions of dollars in lost revenue." He said that the US would impose tariffs if the EU doesn't follow international trade laws. That would be an escalation at a time when US relations with trading partners are already tense. But the European Union said it planned to take "swift action" to align with the WTO's recommendations. The rivals are in fierce competition for plane orders. Airbus booked more orders last year, but Boeing delivered more planes. "This is a high-stakes battle," said Douglas Holtz-Eakin, president of the American Action Forum Tuesday. As airlines expand into the Middle East and China, both companies will be vying for new business, he said. <br/>