EU complains about WTO ruling gap

A 10-month gap between World Trade Organization rulings on cases involving government subsidies to Boeing and Airbus could hinder the ability of the EU and U.S. to arrive at a settlement. An EU spokeswoman said the two cases are so similar that the WTO appeals body should rule on both at the same time. The WTO in September said Airbus was receiving subsidies, but won’t rule on the alleged subsidies to Boeing until June. (Source: Business Week, 01/25/10) Gulf Coast note: Airbus parent EADS is teamed with Northrop Grumman and competing against Boeing to build tankers for the Air Force. EADS plans to assemble the planes in Mobile, Ala.