Shares in Airbus and other key French exporters fell on Monday as Europe and the United States edged closer towards tit-for-tat sanctions in a long-running dispute over aircraft subsidies, reports Euronews.
The World Trade Organization has approved a US request to impose tariffs on some European goods in the latest chapter of a two-way dispute over aircraft subsidies which could also lead to European reprisals, two people familiar with the case said.
The scope of the decision, which had been widely anticipated, is due to be announced at the end of the month.
Both sides have won partial rulings in their favour in a 15-year dispute involving billions of dollars of domestic support for planemakers Airbus and Boeing. But the United States is first in line to take action since its case is running about nine months ahead.
Washington has sought permission to target European aircraft and aerospace parts, as well a range of industries including food, wine, tractors and luxury goods, as part of an $11.2 billion package of proposed tariffs against the European Union.