The World Trade Organization (WTO) panel report in the US - Boeing dispute is currently under appeal, and the Appellate Body's decision is expected for late 2011 or early 2012. This dispute concerns the complaint by the European Union against alleged subsidization practices of the United States in favour of the Boeing company. Earlier this year, in the EC - Airbus dispute, the Appellate had upheld parts of a panel report that found that the European Union's subsidies to Airbus had caused serious prejudice to the United States. In US - Boeing, the panel found the reverse - namely, that the United States had caused serious prejudice to the European Union through various subsidies granted to Boeing, including certain tax measures as well as research and development contracts of certain US government agencies such as NASA and Department of Defense. This case note summarizes the panel report. It also provides brief reflections on these findings, both on aspects that have not been appealed as well as those currently before the Appellate Body.
Global Trade and Customs Journal