Moving Forward to Suspend, Negotiate, and Settle the Airbus/Boeing Disputes Would be a Productive First Step
For Immediate Release - February 25, 2021
NABI Applauds the Senate Finance Committee and USTR- Nominee Katherine C. Tai on
Confirmation Hearing – Moving Forward to Suspend, Negotiate, and Settle the
Airbus/Boeing Disputes Would be a Productive First Step
NABI applauds the full Membership of the Senate Finance Committee for its bipartisan and
supportive approach in the confirmation hearing for USTR Nominee Katherine C. Tai and
congratulates Ms. Tai for her forthright responses showing her exceptional understanding of the
nuances and challenges of trade for the United States.
Responding to a wide range of questions on a myriad of trade negotiations, disputes, and the
interests of workers, consumers, and businesses, Ms. Tai recognized the need to “prioritize”
reaching an agreement with the European Union to end subsidies and tariffs at the core of the
Airbus dispute. Responding to Senator Cantwell (D-Washington), Ms. Tai said “Between the
U.S. and the EU, I would be very much interested in how to land this plane, excuse the pun.”
Senator Menendez (D-New Jersey) followed up and stressed the harm to U.S. businesses and
importers noting that cheese does not fly as a plane. Responding to his question “Are you
prepared to review the Airbus tariffs to relieve industry,” Ms. Tai said the “U.S. and the EU must
come together to find an answer.” While recognizing tariffs are the way the WTO works, she
underscored the importance of getting the Airbus matter resolved and moving on to WTO
reform.
The theme of rebuilding relationships with traditional trade allies of the United States is a
paramount aim of Ms. Tai. “I will also prioritize rebuilding our international alliances and
partnerships, and re-engaging with international institutions” she pledged in her written opening
statement.
“Ms. Tai’s understanding of, and commitment to, reaching out to our longstanding trade allies,
like the European Union is refreshing and hopeful,” said Robert M. Tobiassen, President of the
National Association of Beverage Importers. “NABI believes a mutual six-month suspension of
the Airbus/Boeing tariffs would reflect a first step in prioritizing the building back better U.S.
trade relations with Europe, perhaps with the EU suspending the doubting in June of its tariffs in
response to the steel and aluminum dispute to level the difference of $7.5 billion in volume of
trade to nearly $4.0 billion by the EU in such a suspension,” he added, “as a first step in
rebuilding relations. USTR and the EU should be able to reach a settlement resolving the limited
context of this large civil aircraft subsidy quickly and then move on to the real question and
solution of state-subsidies facing the U.S. and EU from China’s state-capitalism economy that
can only be negotiated at the WTO by the global trading order.”
For further information, please contact NABI at (202) 393-6224 or