⁍ U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said any move by the EU to slap tariffs on $4 billion of Boeing Co airplanes would be ‘plainly contrary to WTO principles’
Lighthizer said Washington would intensify negotiations with Brussels to restore fair competition and resolve the dispute.

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⁍ He said the WTO arbitrator’s decision did not authorize the EU to retaliate against research and development subsidies provided to Boeing.

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– The European Union is threatening to slap tariffs on $4 billion worth of US imports, and the US is not taking the threat lightly. Reuters reports that US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued a statement Tuesday saying that any such move by the EU would be “plainly contrary to WTO principles and will force a US response.” The EU filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization earlier this month claiming that the US was subsidizing Boeing and that Washington state was giving the plane-maker illegal tax breaks. The EU argues that the subsidies to Boeing have already been removed by Washington state. But Lighthizer says that’s not the case. “Because Washington State repealed that tax break earlier this year, the EU has no valid basis to retaliate against any US products,” he says.