Trade commission backs Bombardier  

The commission members decided unanimously that Boeing’s claim that the new Bombardier aircraft was being sold at below cost prices and was the beneficiary of subsidies from the Canadian and UK governments, resulting in unfair competition, had no standing.

Bombardier was set face a tariff of nearly 300% on its C Series aircraft imported into the US, if Boeing’s claims had been upheld.

Union organisers at Bombardier’s Belfast facility where the C series’ wings are built have described the ruling as “sweet relief” for the Northern Ireland economy.

Michael Mulholland, GMB Organiser, said: “At last there is some good news for our Bombardier workers in Northern Ireland. These tariffs would have been nothing short of a disaster for the Northern Ireland economy. Hopefully this can now be an end to the stress and worry for our Bombardier members and they can concentrate on the job they’re paid to do.”

Both Canadian and UK Aerospace jobs were under threat if the tariffs had been imposed.

Bombardier employs nearly 4,000 people in Belfast along with many others in the supply chain. The decision has been welcomed by the UK Government.

Karen Bradley, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland said: “It is excellent news that the International Trade Commission has unanimously found in favour of Bombardier. It is great that the company will continue to play a hugely important role in our economy as we build a Northern Ireland fit for the future.

“The UK Government has been working tirelessly to safeguard Bombardier jobs and argued from the very start this case was wholly unjustified.”

However, Boeing can still appeal against the decision.

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