U.S. Set to Impose Retaliatory Tariffs on $7.5 Billion in EU Goods Following WTO’s Airbus Ruling

On Oct. 2, 2019, the World Trade Organization (WTO) authorized the United States to impose tariffs on $7. 5 billion worth of products annually from the European Union (EU) in response to the EU’s illegal subsidies. This is the largest arbitration award in the WTO’s history.

This decision follows the United States’ 15-year dispute with the EU over subsidies being given to Airbus. The U. S. alleged that Europe has been providing massive subsidies to Airbus that have seriously injured the U. S. aerospace industry and its workers and are inconsistent with WTO obligations.