Boeing: France protectionist

PARIS - Boeing's representative in France on Tuesday accused the European nation of shielding its defense market behind a wall of "extreme protectionism." Yves Galland said Paris had few lessons to give America on opening up to foreign suppliers. Boeing is in a battle with Europe’s EADS/Airbus to supply tankers to the U.S. Air Force. Airbus and U.S. partner Northrop Grumman have called the draft request for proposal tilted in Boeing’s favor. But Galland, president of Boeing France, said the U.S. had ordered hundreds of helicopters from EADS’ Eurocopter, while it’s been 30 years since France bought any defense equipment from Boeing. (Source: Reuters, 01/19/10) Gulf Coast note: The Northrop Grumman/EADS team wants to assemble the aerial tankers in Mobile, Ala.; Eurocopter builds helicopters in Columbus, Miss.