European Union trade commissioner Peter Mandelson and his new US counterpart Robert Portman have agreed to continue discussions over aircraft subsidies, refraining from taking the dispute to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for the time being. Mandelson and Portman, who took over from Robert Zoellick on 29 April, met in Paris on 2 May. "Mr Mandelson and Mr Portman agreed a negotiated solution remained the most desirable option," the EU says, adding, "they agreed to continue their dialogue". However, a source close to the negotiations says that, although the parties are willing to talk, they have not ruled out taking the case to the WTO, and recognise "they couldn't continue the open-ended discussion period for ever".
Source: Flight International