Timeline for Boeing and Bombardier dispute over the CSeries

MONTREAL – The timeline of the commercial dispute between Boeing and Bombardier:

– April 27: The Chicago giant asks the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) to take action against Bombardier’s business practices.

– May 18: The Department of Commerce confirms the beginning of an investigation. Ottawa replies by questioning a military order from Boeing for new Super Hornet jet fighters.

– June 9: ITC gives the go-ahead for Washington to continue its investigation into CSeries sales south of the border.

– 28 June: At the request of Boeing, the Department of Commerce agrees to delay the disclosure of its preliminary decision on possible punitive duties by two months, until Sept. 25.

– Sept. 4: Boeing International Division President Marc Allen says the U.S. giant has no intention to back down and withdraw its complaint against Bombardier.

– Sept. 5: British Prime Minister Theresa May, in a telephone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, pleads in favour of the Quebec manufacturer, which has more than 4,000 employees in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

– Sept. 13: Demonstration in downtown Montreal of hundreds of union members in the aeronautics sector to denounce the Boeing approach.

– Sept. 20: Bombardier workers in Toronto walk off the job to support company’s battle against Boeing.

– Sept. 24: JetBlue becomes latest U.S. airline to write to the ITC urging it to deny Boeing’s petition, saying tariffs on the aircraft would harm competition and result in higher airfares.

– Sept. 26: Department of Commerce announces a hefty 219 per cent preliminary countervailing duty on CSeries exports to the U.S., pending a final determination in February.

– Oct. 4: Department of Commerce is expected to announce preliminary anti-dumping duties, but that could be extended.

– December: Department of Commerce will release its final determinations.

– February: ITC will make its final ruling, imposes any final duties.