How Boeing vs. Airbus Became Trump vs. Europe
The Office of the United States Trade Representative stated it planned to begin by levying a 10 percent tariff on European aircraft and a 25 percent tariff on farming goods, including French white wine and Spanish olive oil. Boeing had hoped the tariffs would tax airplane parts from Europe, a relocation that would have hurt Airbus, which opened a factory in Mobile, Ala., in 2015. Last week, a bipartisan group of 34 lawmakers sent out a letter urging Robert Lighthizer, the United States trade representative, to prevent imposing tariffs and, if he did, to excuse existing airplane orders.
The Office of the United States Trade Representative stated it prepared to start by levying a 10 percent tariff on European aircraft and a 25 percent tariff on agricultural products, consisting of French wine and Spanish olive oil. Boeing had hoped the tariffs would tax airplane parts from Europe, a relocation that would have injured Airbus, which opened a factory in Mobile, Ala., in 2015. Last week, a bipartisan group of 34 legislators sent out a letter urging Robert Lighthizer, the United States trade representative, to prevent imposing tariffs and, if he did, to exempt existing aircraft orders.