US to boost tariffs on Airbus planes Wednesday, adding pressure on airlines

The US is expected to increase US tariffs on Airbus planes by 50% Wednesday, US and European officials say, dealing a further blow to US airlines already hammered by sharp drops in travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tariffs on Airbus aircraft built in Europe are to increase to 15% from 10% at 12:01 am Wednesday, as Washington pressures the EU to comply with a World Trade Organisation ruling on illegal aircraft subsidies. The EU is prepared to impose tariffs on US goods once the WTO rules on a parallel case challenging US govt aid to Boeing later this spring. Several EU officials said they had no indication that Washington would delay the tariff increase, despite calls by the Group of Seven rich nations for cooperation to battle the coronavirus outbreak. <br/>