US to bring trade case over EU Airbus subsidy

The Bush administration said today it would bring a trade case alleging the European Unionis providing illegal subsidies to Airbus, the major competitor to US-based Boeing Co.

US Trade Representative Rob Portman said the administration had decided to proceed with a case before the World Trade Organisation in light of preparations by member states of the European Union to commit $1.7bn in new launch aid to Airbus.