Greer Says EIB Loan to Airbus Could Put Trade Truce at Risk

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned that European Investment Bank financing for Airbus could put the U.S.-EU aircraft trade truce at risk, saying his office has not received details about the loan despite repeated requests. The EIB announced in June that it would make €3 billion available to Airbus for research, development and innovation. The financing is also reported as about $3.4 billion. Greer said Monday that the arrangement could jeopardize the agreement suspending tariffs on some goods and urged the European Union to resolve the issue promptly. Greer said the financing raised concerns about European support for Airbus and uncertainty in transatlantic aerospace trade. He also said the U.S. Trade Representative’s office had sought information but still lacked details. The reporting does not establish whether the loan breaches the truce or qualifies as a subsidy. The EIB described the financing as a normal loan carrying interest and part of its broader lending activity. Airbus called it standard corporate financing, saying the company regularly diversifies its funding sources and that similar commercially available loans had been signed in the past. Airbus...