For Immediate Release: March 12, 2012

WASHINGTON, DC – Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) applauded today’s decision by the WTO Appellate Body rejecting the vast majority of the European Union’s claims that the United States has unfairly subsidized the Boeing Company:

LEVIN: “The Appellate Body’s decision confirms that it is the European Union – not the United States – that has been distorting trade and providing unfair advantages. I congratulate the Obama Administration on this important win, which is vital to the hundreds of thousands of workers in America’s aerospace industry.”

MCDERMOTT: “With this victory, we are a step closer to leveling the playing field for American aerospace employees and businesses, especially for Boeing and its workers. The European Union cannot continue to hide behind unfounded claims that we are not playing by the rules. The facts are clear: the European Union is overwhelmingly the violator. It is time for the European Union to stop its massive subsidization of Airbus and to let it compete without unfair advantages.”

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