The European Union won the right to impose tariffs on $4 billion of US goods on Tuesday in retaliation against subsidies granted to plane maker Boeing, expanding a dispute that has already seen Washington put border duties on EU imports.
The World Trade Organization tariff award, which confirms a decision first reported by Reuters on Sept 30, threatens to exacerbate transatlantic trade tensions with just three weeks until the US presidential election on Nov. 3.However, negotiators on both sides say it could also lead at last to discussions to resolve a 16-year legal battle.
Both the United States and the EU have signalled interest in settling the dispute over subsidies each provided to their respective plane makers, Boeing and Airbus, while accusing the other of refusing to talk seriously.
