Murray Statement on Airbus Announcement that they Will Bid for U.S. Tanker Replacement without a U.S. Partner

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) released
the following statement after the European company Airbus announced that
they would compete to replace the U.S. military’s fleet of aerial
refueling tankers without an American partner. On March 23rd, the World
Trade Organization (WTO) ruled that Airbus has for years received
illegal, trade-distorting subsidies that have hurt U.S. aerospace
companies and undercut American workers. The ruling included a finding
that the A-330, the very plane that Airbus plans to put forward in the
tanker competition, has been built using illegal subsidies.



“Holding this competition up to allow an illegally-subsidized foreign
company to bid is bad for American workers, our men and women in
uniform, taxpayers, and our economy. It means we are bending over
backwards to include a company that has broken the rules of fair play. A
competition between companies on an equal playing field is one thing. A
competition where American workers have to compete with the treasuries
of European countries is another.



“For years, Airbus has gone to any length to gain U.S. market share and
undercut American workers. Today’s announcement is a reminder that they
will go it alone in that pursuit if necessary. Whether it’s extending
deadlines, threatening to drop out if the rules aren’t changed in their
favor, or receiving billions in illegal, trade-distorting subsidies, no
ploy is spared. We cannot and should not be rewarding this behavior.



“I will continue to work with Republicans and Democrats alike to make
clear to the Pentagon and the White House that this is the wrong move
for our service members and our workers.”