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What's a Little Dispute Among Friends?
What would Le Bourget be without a bitter dispute between Europe and the U.S? Two years ago America retaliated against lack of French support for the Iraqi war with ‘Freedom fries’ and a boycott of the Paris Air Show. France weathered the culinary attack, and Le Bourget has emerged stronger than ever.
This year’s issue is subsidies, as Airbus sharpens up its A350 with launch aid to take on the U.S. and Boeing with a 787 strongly supported by taxpayers in the U.S. and Japan.
The U.S. presence is at full strength this year, including a top level delegation led by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska), Senate President Pro Tempore and chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. CEOs will be out in force, as well as flag officers from the Pentagon and high level civilian appointees.
“These things come and go, governments come and go, and what stays is industry.” says John Douglass, president & CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association. —John Morris
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