Reply #60: Airbus claims victory over Boeing in row over European subsidies

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/may/18/airbus-boeing-subsidies-wto-appeal

Airbus has claimed a partial victory in its long-running row with US rival Boeing over allegations it received illegal subsidies from European governments.

A World Trade Organisation appeal panel said launch aid worth billions of euros for Airbus's A380 superjumbo was not prohibited under global trade rules.

"The central US claim that Airbus received prohibited export subsidies has been dismissed in its entirety," said Karel De Gucht, the EU trade commissioner.

But he acknowledged that the panel had upheld an earlier decision by the WTO that Airbus had benefited from government support that caused Boeing to lose aircraft sales; Boeing claimed that the panel's findings were a victory for the US.