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Politicians jostle for credit on getting tough on Airbus

By Alex Fryer
Seattle Times Washington bureau

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Related stories Aircraft subsidies trigger trans-Atlantic trade fight

Members of the Washington Congressional delegation, as well as presidential candidates, all seemed eager yesterday to prove they had the largest pom-poms of the trade-fight cheerleaders.

But they also disagreed on who played what role in advocating for Boeing in its subsidy dispute with Airbus.

Democratic Rep. Norm Dicks said that in 2002, he huddled in a Washington, D.C., restaurant with Boeing Chief Executive Phil Condit and U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick.

Conversation focused on one topic, Dicks said: convincing Boeing to support a challenge against the European Union regarding Airbus subsidies.

Dicks' office said he and Democratic Sen. Patty Murray agreed Dicks would be the behind-the-scenes player, while Murray would make public speeches bashing Airbus and urging a tough trade stance.

Murray discounted any cooperation between her and Dicks.

"This is an issue I've been working on for a long time and behind the scenes for a long time," she said. "Norm has done his own thing."

Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Spokane, who is challenging Murray in the November election, praised the U.S. Trade Representative's move and noted he introduced a House resolution on Monday urging the Bush Administration to take this action.

But Nethercutt did not circulate the legislation among Democrats, and he had only two Republican co-sponsors, including Rep. Jennifer Dunn, R-Bellevue.

Speaking from the campaign trail, Nethercutt used yesterday's announcement to take a swipe at Murray.
 
"I know Sen. Murray has been hitting hard on this," he said. "That may not be the right way to go. The Europeans may think it's just politics. This has to be done quietly and seriously."

"Quiet" didn't describe the rhetoric yesterday.

"For years Airbus has operated on fiscal steroids," huffed Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Lake Stevens.

"These early subsidies are unfair and unacceptable," Dunn said.

Added Rep. Jay Inslee, D-Bainbridge Island: "We have been outraged about Airbus' anticompetitive behavior and unfair subsidies for a long time."

Even the presidential campaign of Democratic Sen. John Kerry got into the act, releasing a statement yesterday.

"Bush's failure to act sooner to level the playing field for American workers is part of a pattern of neglect and non-enforcement of trade agreements," Kerry said.

As for Bush, White House spokesman Ken Lisaius said: "This action is about leveling the playing field for American workers. This administration will continue working to level the playing field regardless of whether it's a campaign year or not."