Competing tanker ads appear

With the competition to build tankers for the Air Force heating up, competitors Boeing and EADS have launched ad campaigns. Boeing's newspaper ad defends itself against EADS' claims that a World Trade Organization report found that the company received at least $5 billion in illegal subsidies, while EADS's radio ad criticizes Boeing's ads as being "misleading." A decision is expected early this year, and a protest by the losing side is possible. At least one analyst said the only solution may be buying tankers from both companies. (Source: Reuters, 02/03/11) Gulf Coast note: EADS North America wants to assemble its tankers in Mobile, Ala.