FT: India fears of a US backlash made them order Boeings

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An Indian senior government official is quoted in the FT as saying the Indian government feared a US trade backlash if it did not award Boeing the airplane order that it had been planning to place.

The first paragraph can be found here but one has to subscribe to read the rest.

Now this would naturally be difficult to prove, but if it turns out to be true it would not be surprising in the slightest.

And if it can be proved that the US government had threatened, directly or indirectly, with a trade backlash or boycott if the Indians didn't choose Boeing I hope the EU and the WTO impose the biggest trade penalties possible on the Americans.

Airbus could also tell Boeing where to stick its moans and complains about unfair subsidies and unfair conditions.

If the story is true, naturally.

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Where are you based at?

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London. Why?

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"Read the FT, sponsored by Airbus"

LOL

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When did Airbus start sponsoring the Financial Times, Sandy? :confused:

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I dunno..... say last week ;)

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Hmmmm..... how very different from your reaction to news stories and press releases that present the world as seen from the viewpoint of A Major US Airliner Manufacturer. :rolleyes:

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Hmmmm..... how very different from your reaction to news stories and press releases that present the world as seen from the viewpoint of A Major US Airliner Manufacturer. :rolleyes:

yeah, whatever

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yeah, whatever
;) :D

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;) :D

he he

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There was a report made last week that Air India would take Airbus to court if it continued to hound them on AI's recent order for six billion dollars worth of aircraft. In light of this account, doesn't this give Airbus a leg to stand on?
As well, doesn't this show that the United States will go to any length to score the large contracts? I realize that certain European governments have done the same but it would seem that the American arm of influence can reach a little further. What would happen if these accusations were found to be true? What actions would the Indian government take to remedy apparent signs of corruption within its wings? Considering how long it takes India's government to complete an approval for an acquisition program, would there be enough time to reopen the tender for further study?

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There may well be time, but what would be the point?

Anyone with any knowledge of commercial aviation at all knows that both Boeing and Airbus benefit from inter-governmental pressure of this kind.

So long as they're all at it, I imagine it balances itself out in the long run. :)

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Thai and other asian Airbus customers suddenly getting for slots for Charles-De-Gaulle after purchasing A330s and A340s.

A and B benefit from political interference. This case if true leaves A and B on the same footing.

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Yes, Sandy. I just said that. :)

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Yes, Sandy. I just said that. :)

and I added to it ;)

Just trying to show I realy can be objective.

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I'll bet I can keep this up longer than you can..... :D:D:D

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I'll bet I can keep this up longer than you can..... :D:D:D

how much :D

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Whose "delete" button works? :diablo:

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Whose "delete" button works? :diablo:

Foul!

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And who told you that life was fair, hmmm? :D

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Boys,

Read the article! FT USA's edition had the article. The French ambassador said, and I quote (from the article): "...However, the French ambassador has already said he was misquoted and I hope the matter ends here."

I am sure the US government pressured Air India and the Indian government. I am also certain that the EU pressured Air India and the Indian government.

Bkonner