Trade dispute finding could hit 4000 jobs in Northern Ireland
Canadian firm Bombardier will find out today if it will suffer financial penalties over a trade dispute with its rival and aerospace giant Boeing. Boeing had claimed in April that Bombardier had received unfair state subsidies from the UK and Canada. The verdict is also crucial for the 4,000 workers of Bombardier in Belfast, Northern Ireland who are “holding their breath” as they await the verdict.
The Commerce Department of United States will be announcing a decision today on the Boeing’s allegation that the Canadian jet maker was selling its C-Series jet at unfairly low prices in the US because of subsidies from the Canadian government.
If the ruling is in favor of Boeing, the department could impose financial penalties on Bombardier, making imports of the Canadian aircraft more expensive, a report in New York Times stated.
Media reports suggest that any penalty to Bombardier could potentially jeopardise a major order made last year from US airline Delta — £4.15bn deal.
While speaking to the members of the trade union, Northern Ireland Secretary James Brokenshire stated that the government’s support of Bombardier did not constitute unfair support.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Theresa May had raised concerns about the possible implications of the ruling in a telephone call with the US President Donald Trump.
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