UK tries to protect 4,500 Belfast jobs from Boeing trade row

LONDON – The British government is trying to find a way to protect some 4,500 jobs in Belfast endangered by a trade dispute.

The dispute pits American manufacturer Boeing against Canada’s Bombardier, which employs many people at its facilities in Northern Ireland.

Boeing claims Bombardier receives Canadian subsidies allowing it to undercut the market. The U.S. Commerce Department will announce this month whether to impose duties on Bombardier.

U.K. officials are seeking a compromise that would safeguard the Belfast jobs. British media say Prime Minister Theresa May has raised the matter with U.S. President Donald Trump.

The British government said in a statement that Britain’s priority is to encourage Boeing to drop the case in favour of a negotiated settlement.

Boeing said Tuesday it prefers to “let the process play out.”