Sides reviewing WTO ruling

The World Trade Organization today issued a confidential ruling about Airbus subsidies, and both sides are now reviewing the 1,000-page document. One news organization, the Wall Street Journal, is reporting that the panel ruled the subsidies by European governments were illegal. The U.S. filed a complaint in 2004, citing the aid as unfair to U.S.-based Boeing. A parallel complaint alleging illegal government subsidies have been given to Boeing is also before the WTO. (Source: Dow Jones, 09/04/09) Gulf Coast note: Boeing is competing against Airbus parent, EADS, to build tankers for the U.S. Air Force. EADS and partner Northrop Grumman want to assemble the planes in Mobile, Ala.