Indonesia, Daewoo Sign $1.1 Billion Contract For 3 Submarines
Airbus Accuses White House Meddling In Lion Air's Boeing Deal
Jakarta Globe/Reuters
Airbus accused the White House of derailing open competition by helping Boeing win a record aircraft deal in Indonesia as details emerged of a behind-the-scenes struggle over jobs and jet sales worth almost $22 billion.
The European plane maker's sales chief said lobbying over the deal by President Barack Obama had revealed double standards on free-market competition.
"There's only one superpower in the world and I think we know it isn't France; it is probably represented by President Obama," John Leahy said on Thursday.
"When he starts making headlines that he is selling airplanes and how that wouldn't happen without his personal involvement, we are seeing economic distortion and we shouldn't be talking about free and open level playing fields for trade around the world if the US pulls stuff like that."
Last month, Obama showcased an order for 230 jets from budget carrier Lion Air worth $21.7 billion, the largest commercial deal in Boeing's history.
Read The Jakarta Globe for full story
