Politicians and trade unions react to Bombardier tariff decision

One trade union has described the decision as a "hammer blow" to Belfast and risked sending shock waves through Northern Ireland's economy. Credit: PressEye

Downing Street say the Prime Minister Theresa May is "bitterly disappointed" by a US Department of Commerce decision to impose a tariff of nearly 220% on a new model of passenger jet manufactured by Bombardier, one of Northern Ireland's biggest employers.

Writing on Twitter, the UK Prime Minister's office said the Government would continue to work with the company to protect "vital" jobs in Northern Ireland.

Also commenting on the ruling, the DUP Leader Arlene Foster said, “This is a very disappointing determination, but it is not the end of the process and there are further steps that will follow. The C Series is a hugely innovative aircraft that is vital to Bombardier’s operations in Belfast. It is this innovation that sets the C Series apart and it is not in direct competition with Boeing.”

Credit: Pacemaker

More than 4,000 people are employed in Belfast by Canadian multinational Bombardier and thousands more jobs in Northern Ireland are supported through the manufacturer's supply chain, according to trade unionists.

Ross Murdoch, the GMB union's national officer, said it was a "hammer blow" to Belfast and risked sending shock waves through Northern Ireland's economy.

Meanwhile, the union Unite has called for intervention from the UK Government.

Jimmy Kelly, Unite Regional Secretary, said: “The decision taken by the US Department of Commerce was not unexpected – unfortunately it is unlikely to be overturned by President Trump whose protectionist tendencies are well-known. The threat of punitive tariffs on the C Series will cast a shadow over Bombardier’s future unless the company can source alternative and substantial sales outside the US market.”

“Despite this blow, the Bombardier jobs can still be safeguarded. The UK government must now intervene to secure orders from British carriers for Bombardier aircraft – they should also immediately review all contracts with Boeing. If other countries are going to erect protectionist barriers to UK companies, our government needs to be proactive in response” Mr Kelly concluded.

Bombardier makes parts for the C-Series aircraft Credit: Pacemaker

The decision comes after the US Department of Commerce reviewed a complaint made by Boeing against the Canadian aircraft manufacturer.

The dispute centres around an order Bombardier received for up to 125 C-Series aircraft from US operator Delta Airways last year. The deal is worth £4bn to Bombardier.

Boeing claimed that subsidies Bombardier received allowed it to sell its C-Series planes at below-market prices.

Parts for the C-Series are made in Belfast, including the wings.