Update: AHI escapes US tariffs

The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that the U.S. can move forward with plans to impose some $7.5B in tariffs on European Union (EU) goods annually to counteract years of European loans and illegal subsidies to Airbus. Fortunately for the Gulf Coast region, major parts shipped from Europe to build Airbus jetliners in Mobile, Ala., escaped those tariffs. The WTO decision comes after a 15-year dispute over EU countries' roles in building Airbus into a global player that competes head-to-head with Boeing. But the clash isn't over. The WTO will rule in the coming months on the EU's own request to levy tariffs on the U.S. over its aid to Boeing. The United States said it would slap 10 percent tariffs on European-made Airbus planes and 25 percent duties on French wine, Scotch and Irish whiskies, and cheese from across the continent as punishment for illegal EU aircraft subsidies. The size and scope of the tariffs were reduced from a $25B list floated by Washington earlier this year that included helicopters, major aircraft components, seafood, luxury goods and other big-ticket categories that were excluded from Wednesday’s announcement. (Source: GCAC Week In Review 10/05/19) It’s not yet clear whether Airbus Helicopters Inc. of Columbus, Miss., also escaped those tariffs. http://gcacperspectives.blogspot.com/2019/10/week-in-review-922-to-105.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+GulfCoastAerospaceCorridorPerspectives+%28Gulf+Coast+Aerospace+Corridor+Perspectives%29
Gulf Coast Note: After further information received, AHI-Columbus, Miss., will not be affected by these actions.