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WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC) joined U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) and other Members of Congress to introduce legislation that would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to consider World Trade Organization (WTO) decisions when setting the terms of DoD contracts. This legislation would have an immediate impact on the current bidding process between Boeing and Airbus for the new Air Force refueling tanker by requiring the DoD to consider WTO’s ruling that Airbus is being illegally subsidized by European governments. After the press conference Congressman Brown made the following remarks:
“On a level playing field, Boeing’s design, workers and costs have proven time and time again that they produce the best product. However, the WTO’s ruling shows us once again that the E.U. backed Airbus will use illegal subsidies to undercut Boeing’s tanker design.
The DoD cannot continue down the path of rewarding Europe’s deliberate protectionism and doing so will only harm U.S. workers and manufacturers. In these difficult economic times we have the duty to ensure these quality jobs remain in America and are not unfairly outsourced to Europe. There is a lot to gain from this $35 billion dollar contract and Boeing is a great American company with the potential to create thousands of jobs on U.S. soil.
In the midst of unprecedented layoffs across America and throughout the state of South Carolina, Boeing decided to establish a major manufacturing facility in North Charleston which will ultimately create thousands of new jobs in my Congressional District. This is a true testament to the leadership of Boeing.
This legislation will ensure fairness in the current bidding process and I believe that in fair competition, Boeing will show that they cannot be beat.”
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