Warning over Trump threat


The TUC has warned that the US Trump administration is a threat to workers following his failed attempt to impose tariffs of almost 300% on imports of manufacturer Bombardier’s C-Series aircraft. 


The Canadian company had been facing a 292% duty on its exports to the US after American rival Boeing claimed Bombardier had been given unfair state subsidies by the UK and Canada. This was catastrophic news for the 4,000 workers employed to produce C-Series wings at Bombardier’s Belfast plant.


However, US federal agency the USITC, which has investigative responsibilities in relation to trade matters, rejected Boeing’s claims. 


It said that Atlanta-based Delta Airlines’ order of the C-Series passenger jets does “not injure US industry”, and therefore dismissed the request for high duties on the planes.


The TUC said the announcement was great news for thousands of Bombardier workers and workers in their supply chain, and a significant victory for unions who fought for their members’ jobs. But it warned that the affair shows what the Trump administration wants to do, and how it could threaten the UK’s ability to support good jobs in strategic industries if the UK leaves the EU single market.

https://www.tuc.org.uk/news/national/great-news-bombardier-trump-still-threat-uk-workers-says-tuc

https://unitetheunionireland.org/2018/01/26/workers-jubilant-as-bombardier-tariff-threat-lifted