W.T.O. Rules Against Aid to Airbus Jets

The WTO has ruled that launch aid to Airbus to develop the A380 was illegal. The launch aid, mainly in the form of loans that did not have to be repaid if the program didn't make any money, helped Airbus leap ahead of Boeing in 2003 in number of jets sold. If Airbus does not pay back the launch aid, the U.S. could retaliate by imposing tariffs on a wide variety of European goods. Still to be decided is Airbus' counter-suit alleging illegal U.S. subsidies to Boeing. That decision is expected later this year.
W.T.O. Rules Against Aid to Airbus Jets - NYTimes.com