Clark vows to ‘press case’ for Bombardier jobs at talks
FURTHER talks will be held later this week as the Government continues to “press the case” on behalf of Bombardier workers in Northern Ireland, the Business Secretary has said.
Thousands of Belfast posts hang in the balance if a proposed 300% duty on exports to the US is imposed on the Canadi- an-owned firm’s new C Series jet. US planemaker Boeing claims its rival Bombardier, which has around 4,000 staff here, has had its C Series aircraft subsidised, and says it has been ‘dumping’ planes — selling them at below cost price.
Business Secretary Greg Clark told MPs the Government was “absolutely determined to send a clear message both to Boeing and to the US administration that this action is unfair, its effects on Belfast are intolerable”.
His comments came as east Belfast DUP MP Gavin Robinson raised the issue during Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) questions, branding the US tariff situation “egregious”.
He asked: “The Secretary of State may know that Unite, the Union officials from Belfast Bombardier plant are in Washington and Montreal pressing the case against the egregious US tariff situation. Can the Secretary of State advise, is he continuing to engage in this process and working towards a sensible resolution?”
Mr Clark replied: “I certainly am and as he knows, throughout this process we’ve been absolutely determined to send a clear message both to Boeing and to the US administration that this action is unfair, its effects on Belfast are intolerable. I have further conversations later this week to continue to press the case with all of the parties concerned.”
Earlier this month, trade unionists said the dispute should be referred to the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The C Series’ wings are made in Northern Ireland and Unite warned thousands of Northern Ireland jobs could be threatened should sales be badly affected.