10-Sep-2009 11:25 AM
EADS defends launch aid for Airbus
EADS CEO, Louis Gallois, defended the use of launch aid by EU governments to support Airbus programmes, claiming they were more visible and transparent that subsidies received by Boeing. He stated that Airbus would "not plead guilty, and will produce arguments in its defense" in the ongoing WTO case (Seattle Times, 09-Sep-2009). Mr Gallois also stated EADS favours the establishment of a new trade agreement to end the dispute, but if no agreement can be reached the company will continue with the dispute until a final decision is reached, in 2012 or 2013.