Because of the dispute over Boeing aid: EU before massive punitive tariffs on US goods

In the aftermath of the US election, the EU could fuel the trade dispute with Washington. Because according to diplomatic circles, punitive tariffs could be imposed on US goods worth billions as early as the beginning of next week. The incumbent US President Trump had already threatened a tough reaction.

In the dispute over state aid for the aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus, the EU could impose punitive tariffs on US goods worth four billion dollars next week, according to information from diplomatic circles. The move is expected after a meeting of EU trade ministers on Monday, said EU diplomats.

A majority of EU countries have already agreed to the tariffs that the World Trade Organization (WTO) granted the EU in mid-October. Airplanes, fruits, nuts, orange juice and spirits could then be charged with taxes.

The dispute, which has been simmering for 16 years, is, among other things, about the question of whether state loans to Boeing and Airbus are to be assessed as illegal aid. As early as 2019, the WTO granted a US lawsuit to impose punitive tariffs on EU goods worth $ 7.5 billion. The US has already introduced the levy.

In view of the EU punitive tariffs looming after the WTO decision in October, US President Donald Trump had tightened the tone: If the Europeans impose punitive tariffs, "we will hit back harder than they hit," he said. The outcome of the presidential election was still unclear on Friday. But in the German export industry, Trump's challenger Joe Biden is also regarded as rather adamant on trade issues.

Airbus reports increasing sales

The aircraft manufacturer Airbus has meanwhile announced that sales are increasing again: After 57 jets in September, the group made 72 aircraft available to its customers in October. In July there were 49, in August, which was weaker in other years due to the summer, 39 machines.

The Executive Board already cashed in on its original goal of delivering 880 commercial aircraft this year at the beginning of the Corona crisis. Instead, the management cut the production plans and announced the cut of 15,000 of the approximately 90,000 jobs in the commercial aircraft division.