Article from BTNews 16 OCTOBER 2017
Bombardier row escalates
The trade dispute between Boeing of the US and Bombardier of Canada escalated on Friday after Canada’s environment minister Catherine McKenna said US action in subjecting Bombardier to sanctions was "completely without merit" and "another example of protectionism".
US authorities imposed 300% tariffs on imports of Bombardier C-Series jets after complaints from Boeing that the C-Series aircraft, which have been ordered by Delta Air Lines, were being “dumped” at "absurdly low" prices.
McKenna said on Irish radio the allegations by Boeing "when they don't have a competitor plane" were very unhelpful. The row threatens more than 4,000 jobs at Bombardier's Belfast plant, which makes parts for the C-Series, including the wings.
Earlier, Delta Air Lines said it would not pay the US tariff. Chief executive Ed Bastian said: "We do not expect to pay the tariffs and we do expect to take the planes”, while cautioning there might be a delay in starting deliveries.
Boeing meanwhile last week launched an intensive multimedia campaign to raise “awareness and understanding” across Canada of the company’s “significant presence and annual impact on the economy”.
“Boeing contributes approximately 4bn Canadian dollars annually to Canada’s economic growth and development, which is nearly 14% of Canada’s entire aerospace economic impact,” the company said.
The campaign did not mention the Bombardier dispute.
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Tom Appleton, Toronto, Canada
"Boeing meanwhile last week launched an intensive multimedia campaign to raise “awareness and understanding” across Canada of the company’s “significant presence and annual impact on the economy”. I believe Canada needs to start a campaign to remind Boeing of the contribution Canada makes to Boeing\'s prosperity. With Air Canada and WestJet both re-equipping with the 737Max, 787 and more 777\'s, not to mention potential orders for F-18 or F-15, Canada as a customer deserves a little more respect.