EU Withholds Subsidies for New Airbus Jet

European governments have blinked first in an aircraft subsidies dispute with the United States, agreeing to withhold funding commitments for a new Airbus plane set to be launched while negotiations continue.

As Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. prepared for a board meeting at which it was expected to give the green light for the A350 jet, executives said no government funding promises would be announced with the launch.

Washington filed a World Trade Organization complaint last year against European government subsidies to Toulouse, France-based Airbus, and the EU countersued citing subsidies to Chicago-based Boeing Co.