AIRBUS has responded to the news that The Office of the US Trade Representative has raised its tariffs on large European aircrafts to 15 per cent.

A spokesman said: "Airbus deeply regrets USTR’s decision to increase tariffs on aircraft imported from the EU, as well as the decision to maintain tariffs on goods from other sectors.

"USTR’s decision to impose tariffs further escalate trade tensions between the US and the EU, thereby creating more instability for US airlines that are already suffering from a shortage of aircraft.

"USTR’s decision ignores the many submissions made by US airlines, highlighting the fact that they – and the US flying public – will ultimately have to pay these tariffs.”

The spokesman adds that Airbus will continue its discussions with its US customers and work with them to mitigate the effects of tariffs insofar as possible.

They say: "Airbus has and will continue to push for a negotiated settlement to this 15-year-long dispute. USTR’s further escalation complicates efforts to find a negotiated outcome to this dispute. This is regrettable.

"Airbus hopes that USTR’s position will change, especially when the WTO will authorize the EU to impose tariffs on Boeing aircraft, including the 737Max, 787 and 777 aircraft in the May/June time frame."