The North American Vice President of the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. (EADS), the parent company of Airbus, expressed optimism that the GOP victories in the midterm election will help Airbus in its battle with Boeing to supply aerial refueling tankers to the U.S. Air Force. At stake are tens of thousands of U.S. jobs in Boeing plants and suppliers across the country.
In a presentation to investors, Airbus Vice President Sam Adcock noted that Boeing’s supporters in Congress tried to pass legislation that would take into account an ongoing World Trade Organization dispute that Airbus is being illegally subsidized by European governments. “Midterm election results will impede Boeing supporters from success on any future attempt to disqualify EADS via legislation,” said Adcock.
Because of the GOP takeover of the House, Boeing supporters like Representative Norm Dicks (D-WA), who was chairman of the sub-committee on defense spending, will be in the minority. Support for Airbus is strong among GOP senators such as John McCain (R-AZ) and Richard Shelby (R-AL). Airbus has plans to build an assembly plant in Alabama should it win the tanker contract.
