May 'bitterly disappointed' over Trump administration decision on Bombardier
3 min read
Downing Street has said it is "bitterly disappointed" at a decision from the Trump administration to slap tariffs on aeroplane parts built in Northern Ireland.
It comes after the US Department of Commerce ruled in favour of American giant Boeing in a dispute with Canadian rival Bombardier, which employs 4,000 people in its east Belfast plant.
The news is particularly embarrassing for Theresa May as she had personally lobbied Donald Trump to get Boeing to drop the action.
It also risks souring the Conservatives' relationship with the DUP, who said losing jobs at the plant would be "devastating" for the Northern Irish economy.
The case stems from a complaint from the US company that Bombardier had received an unfair subsidy from the government of Quebec, the French-speaking region of Canada.
It means a massive 219% interim tariff has now been proposed on sales of Bombardier's C-Series jet to US airline Delta.
About 1,000 jobs are directly involved in manufacturing for the C-Series, with hundreds more in the province involved in the supply chain.
Following the announcement, the Number 10 tweeted that the Government would "continue to work with the company to protect vital jobs for Northern Ireland".
'CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT'
Shadow Northern Ireland Secretary Owen Smith accused the Government of being "criminally negligent" in failing to stop Boeing's legal action.
DUP MP Sir Jeffrey Donaldson said his party had spoken to Mrs May after the announcement.
"This would have devastating consequences on our economy if the factory were to close and we’re going to do everything we can to make sure that doesn’t happen," he told the Today programme.
"We have spoken to the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister has spoken to President Trump, she has spoken to the Canadian prime minister, they’ve been working together, Canada and the UK to lobby on this issue. I believe Bombardier has a strong case."
Meanwhile Sinn Fein leader Michelle O'Neill said she had written to Mr Trump's deputy, Mike Pence, to express her concerns at the news.
“I have written to the US Vice President and also briefed the Chairman of the US Congressional Friends of Ireland committee, Ritchie Neal on the damage this dispute will have on thousands of families across the north."
The regional secretary for trade union Unite, Jimmy Kelly, warned that the decision risked undermining the peace process.
“This would cause serious damage to our economy and to our society, which needs a robust economy to underpin our society’s continued political progress and the path to reconciliation," he said.
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