Richard Harrington, a Minister at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, made the admission at a Westminster committee. Bombardier was hit with an interim import tariff of almost 300 per cent after complaints from Boeing relating to the C Series aircraft. The US International Trade Commission is due to make a final decision within the next few weeks.
“Despite this admission, the UK Government must not give up and must keep fighting vigorously for Bombardier on this matter,” said Dr Farry.
“Even with the proposed Airbus deal in the pipeline, major issues remain for both Bombardier itself as an organisation and global competition throughout the aerospace sector. The company is a major employer in Belfast and wider Northern Ireland, and is serviced by a large supply chain. It is important this challenge is taken seriously.
“The potential for the US ITC to rule against Bombarider shows how limited the UK could be in seeking a trade deal with the US from a position of weakness following any Brexit. It would be better from a local, as well as pan-European view, for a strong and united EU to do any such deal.”