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PARIS, Feb. 15-- European aircraft producer Airbus said on Saturday that the United States government's decision to increase tariffs on aircraft imported from the European Union (EU) further escalated trade tensions between the U.S. and the EU. The decision of the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) "further escalates trade tensions between the U.S. and the EU, thereby creating more instability for U.S. airlines that are already suffering from a shortage of aircraft", said the European plane maker in a statement. The decision "ignores the many submissions made by U.S. airlines, highlighting the fact that they -- and the U.S. flying public -- will ultimately have to pay these tariffs", it added. The USTR issued a notice on Friday, saying the U.S. is increasing the additional duty rate imposed on aircraft imported from the EU to 15 percent from 10 percent, effective from March 18. This "further escalation complicates efforts to find a negotiated outcome to this dispute," said Airbus. "This is regrettable." Airbus said it would continue to push for a negotiated settlement to this dispute. The U.S. and the EU have been battling for 15 years over aircraft subsidies. Each side accused the other of failing to comply with the WTO's rulings and refusing to negotiate any settlement. | 
