U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned on Oct. 26 that a €3 billion European Investment Bank package for Airbus could put the U.S.-EU aircraft trade truce at risk because Washington still lacks details to judge whether the funding follows agreed rules.
The EIB announced the package in June. It signed an initial €1 billion loan as part of its largest-ever corporate financing package. The EIB says the funding will support Airbus research and development through 2030.
The projects are in France, Germany and Spain and cover commercial aviation, defence and security. Greer said the U.S.-EU arrangement pauses some duties in exchange for a commitment that financing for large civil aircraft makers be provided on market terms. The countries agreed to a five-year aircraft-subsidy truce in 2021 and extended it in July 2026.
The arrangement had prevented tariffs on billions of dollars in trade. Washington is concerned that the loan's terms could amount to a subsidy. That concern grew sharper after Boeing requested greater transparency in July.
Airbus has described the financing as a standard corporate loan. It said it is willing to share information with governments. The EIB has called it a normal loan that pays interest.
Greer urged a quick resolution. His warning did not itself announce new tariffs. For now, the dispute remains focused on the loan's terms and whether it complies with the truce.