US leaves unchanged 15% tariff on European aircraft imports

The US government has left unchanged a 15% tariff on Airbus aircraft imports following a required review of a broad $7.5b tariff package on European products. The WTO approved the tariffs in October 2019 as compensation for European subsidies received by rival Airbus. The long-running dispute has pitted the USA against the European Union, France, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom. “The EU and member states have not taken the actions necessary to come into compliance with WTO decisions,” says US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. “The United States will begin a new process with the EU in an effort to reach an agreement that will remedy the conduct that harmed the US aviation industry and workers and will ensure a level playing field for US companies.” The USA imposed the tariffs on 9 October 2019. US trade laws require periodic tariff reviews. In a regulatory notice, the Office of the United States Trade Representative says the EU “has not taken action on six of the launch aid measures” identified in the WTO proceedings. It adds that recent amendments by the EC to French and Spanish A350 launch aid contracts do not succeed in “withdrawing the subsidies received by Airbus”.<br/>