The European Commission decided to challenge the United States non-compliance at the WTO, following the review of US efforts to comply with a World Trade Organisation (WTO) ruling on illegal subsidies in the so-called "Boeing case". The European Union shows that the US has not lived up to its obligations.

In the so-called "Boeing case", the European Union decided to challenge the United States non-compliance at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). A review of US efforts to comply with a WTO ruling on illegal subsidies in the so-called "Boeing case" by the European Union shows that the US has not lived up to its obligations. In March 2012, the WTO appeal ruling in the Boeing case confirmed illegal subsidies from United States.

The EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht, shows herself disappointed with the review outcome. Ms De Gucht stressed that the US leaves the EU with no other choice but to insist on proper compliance before the World Trade Organisation. She is confident that this process will finally lead to a level playing field in the aircraft sector.

The EU received the compliance notice from the US in the WTO Dispute Settlement case 353 ("Boeing case") on 24 September 2012. The EU reviewed the measures presented by the US to assess if these were sufficient to comply with WTO rules, as the US claimed. The lack of information in the US notification unfortunately facilitated a quick review which suggests that the US has neither withdrawn the illegal subsidies granted to Boeing, nor removed their adverse effects. In addition, the EU ensures that even has indications that the US could have actually granted more illegal subsidies to Boeing in the meantime.