Bombardier rebuffed

sir – Following the Americans’ decision to impose punitive tariffs on Bombardier aircraft (report, September 28), could someone explain to me exactly what the “special relationship” is?

Dr Paddy Fielder

Woodbridge, Suffolk

sir – It is worth looking back to Bombardier’s failure to win a contract to supply rail rolling stock in England.

The Tory government went for the cheapest option instead, squandering jobs, tax receipts and goodwill.

The Prime Minister’s profession of “bitter disappointment” in the American case is very hollow.

Phil Wall

Cassagne, Haute-garonne, France

sir – Those who recall the efforts, 40 years ago, to stop Concorde flying to the US should not be taken aback by Boeing’s attempt to prevent Bombardier from selling its aircraft to Delta. Furthermore, nobody should be surprised by the protectionism (typical of dealings with the US).

The financing and ownership of modern commercial aircraft is a complex issue – but perhaps the nature of the product in question offers a solution, at least in the short term. If Delta Airlines creates a Canadian holding company, which procures, registers and manages the fleet of aircraft, the planes themselves could be operated globally.

Colin Cummings

Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire

sir – If Sir Michael Fallon, the Defence Secretary, acted on his threat to stop Boeing’s contracts with the Ministry of Defence, three of the Armed Forces’ most important aerospace assets – the C-17 Globemaster III, and the Apache and Chinook helicopters – would be grounded within days.

Boeing is providing vital logistics support to keep these aircraft and helicopters operating. Only Boeing can supply the spares required.

George D Lewis

Brackley, Northamptonshire