U .S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement today on the Boeing Company’s announcement that they will file a formal protest on Tuesday asking the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review the U.S. Air Force’s decision to award the aerial refueling tanker contract to the European company Airbus. Also on Tuesday, Larsen will question top Pentagon officials about the Air Force decision at a House Armed Services subcommittee hearing.

“The decision by the U.S. Air Force to award the subsidized European company Airbus with a $35 billion contract to build the next generation of refueling tankers is not only the wrong choice for our U.S. military, but for our nation’s trade policy and our American economy.

“From what I have learned to date, it looks like the Air Force is trying to buy a different tanker than the one they asked for.

“As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will take full advantage of the opportunity to question the Defense Department about their decision to choose the subsidized European firm Airbus over Boeing, an American company with over 70 years of experience building planes for our military.

“I have serious concerns about the implications of this decision for U.S. trade policy. The U.S. government has determined that European Union subsidies to Airbus are a clear violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.  While this case is still pending, another branch of the Bush administration is sending a conflicting message by giving European governments a $35 billion reward for their unfair trade practices.

“The Bush administration is on a collision course with itself on this issue, and needs to explain to Congress how they plan to avoid a crash.

“I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress – both Democrats and Republicans -- to shed light on this process and hold the decision makers accountable. This will be a long fight, but we have strong support and the best tanker on our side.”