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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Further tariff of 80% imposed on import of C-Series plane | Further tariff of 80% imposed on import of C-Series plane |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The US Department of Commerce has again ruled against aerospace firm Bombardier in its dispute with rival Boeing. | The US Department of Commerce has again ruled against aerospace firm Bombardier in its dispute with rival Boeing. |
| A further tariff of 80% has been imposed on the import of Bombardier's C-Series jet to the US for alleged below-cost selling. | A further tariff of 80% has been imposed on the import of Bombardier's C-Series jet to the US for alleged below-cost selling. |
| This is on top of an earlier tariff of 220% which related to subsidies Bombardier got from Canada and the UK. | This is on top of an earlier tariff of 220% which related to subsidies Bombardier got from Canada and the UK. |
| There have been warnings that the import tariffs could threaten Bombardier jobs in Belfast. | There have been warnings that the import tariffs could threaten Bombardier jobs in Belfast. |
| About 1,000 jobs are linked to the C-Series, the wings of which are made at a purpose-built £520m factory in the city. | About 1,000 jobs are linked to the C-Series, the wings of which are made at a purpose-built £520m factory in the city. |
| A spokesperson for Bombardier said: "We strongly disagree with the commerce department's preliminary decision." | A spokesperson for Bombardier said: "We strongly disagree with the commerce department's preliminary decision." |
| The firm said the ruling represented an "egregious overreach and misapplication of U.S. trade laws". | The firm said the ruling represented an "egregious overreach and misapplication of U.S. trade laws". |
| "The commerce department's approach throughout this investigation has completely ignored aerospace industry realities," it said. | "The commerce department's approach throughout this investigation has completely ignored aerospace industry realities," it said. |
| "This hypocrisy is appalling, and it should be deeply troubling to any importer of large, complex, and highly engineered products." | "This hypocrisy is appalling, and it should be deeply troubling to any importer of large, complex, and highly engineered products." |
| Union concern | |
| The programme is not just important to Bombardier jobs in Belfast, but also to 15 smaller aerospace firms in Northern Ireland - and dozens more across the UK - which make components for the wings. | The programme is not just important to Bombardier jobs in Belfast, but also to 15 smaller aerospace firms in Northern Ireland - and dozens more across the UK - which make components for the wings. |
| The US Department of Commerce rulings, which could more than triple the cost of a C-Series aircraft sold into the US, could jeopardise a major order placed last year from US airline Delta. | The US Department of Commerce rulings, which could more than triple the cost of a C-Series aircraft sold into the US, could jeopardise a major order placed last year from US airline Delta. |
| A final ruling in the case is due early next year. | A final ruling in the case is due early next year. |
| Davy Thompson from the Unite union said workers are very concerned. | |
| "It looms very large over these workers and it's time for the British government to actually step up for British workers," he said. | |
| "We see the British government being bullied by Boeing. | |
| "The EU needs to step in, because effectively they are being bullied too. It needs to stop and it needs to stop now." | |
| A government spokesperson described the latest development as "disappointing", but said it was "hardly surprising given last week's preliminary ruling sided with Boeing". | A government spokesperson described the latest development as "disappointing", but said it was "hardly surprising given last week's preliminary ruling sided with Boeing". |
| "As with the investigation into subsidies, this is only the first step in the process," they added. | "As with the investigation into subsidies, this is only the first step in the process," they added. |
| "Since the interim finding, we have had further Cabinet level engagement with the US Administration and Canadian government. | "Since the interim finding, we have had further Cabinet level engagement with the US Administration and Canadian government. |
| "We continue to make all efforts alongside the Canadian government to get Boeing to the table to resolve the case." | "We continue to make all efforts alongside the Canadian government to get Boeing to the table to resolve the case." |
| 'Avoidable outcome' | |
| In a statement Boeing said: "Today's decision follows a fact-based investigation by the Commerce Department and it validates Boeing's dumping complaints regarding Bombardier's pricing in the United States. | |
| "This was an avoidable outcome within Bombardier's control. The laws governing global trade are transparent and well known." | "This was an avoidable outcome within Bombardier's control. The laws governing global trade are transparent and well known." |
| US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said: "The United States is committed to free, fair and reciprocal trade with Canada, but this is not our idea of a properly functioning trading relationship". | US Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said: "The United States is committed to free, fair and reciprocal trade with Canada, but this is not our idea of a properly functioning trading relationship". |
| "We will continue to verify the accuracy of this decision, while doing everything in our power to stand up for American companies and their workers." | |
| The Canadian aerospace firm employs more than 4,000 workers across four sites in Northern Ireland. | The Canadian aerospace firm employs more than 4,000 workers across four sites in Northern Ireland. |
| Components of the C-Series jet are manufactured at a purpose-built factory in east Belfast and many other local firms are involved in the supply chain. | Components of the C-Series jet are manufactured at a purpose-built factory in east Belfast and many other local firms are involved in the supply chain. |
| The punitive tax would significantly raise the price of the jet in the US market, and threaten the future of the product. | The punitive tax would significantly raise the price of the jet in the US market, and threaten the future of the product. |
| Boeing took the case after accusing Bombardier of anti-competitive practices. | Boeing took the case after accusing Bombardier of anti-competitive practices. |
| It claimed its rival was selling the C-Series jets below cost price after taking state subsidies from the Canadian and British governments. | It claimed its rival was selling the C-Series jets below cost price after taking state subsidies from the Canadian and British governments. |
| When the preliminary tax ruling was made last week, Wilbur Ross said: "The subsidisation of goods by foreign governments is something that the Trump administration takes very seriously." | When the preliminary tax ruling was made last week, Wilbur Ross said: "The subsidisation of goods by foreign governments is something that the Trump administration takes very seriously." |
| The US trade commission is due to rule on the Department of Commerce's 220% tax proposal next year, but the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise (ISME) Association said the EU should not wait for the final decision. | The US trade commission is due to rule on the Department of Commerce's 220% tax proposal next year, but the Irish Small and Medium Enterprise (ISME) Association said the EU should not wait for the final decision. |
| Its chief executive, Neil McDonnell, said the EU "should signal right now that it will unconditionally, unequivocally and aggressively oppose protectionist measures by the US with tariffs of like effect". | Its chief executive, Neil McDonnell, said the EU "should signal right now that it will unconditionally, unequivocally and aggressively oppose protectionist measures by the US with tariffs of like effect". |