Texas lawmakers press Trump to crack down on Gulf airlines

Texas lawmakers have joined a growing chorus of voices in Congress that are urging the Trump administration to crack down on Persian Gulf countries for unfairly subsidizing their state-run airlines.

In a letter to the departments of State, Transportation and Commerce, the Texas congressional delegation slammed United Arab Emirates and Qatar for funneling more than $50 billion in subsidies into three state-owned airlines.

The members argue that the subsidies are a clear violation of the international Open Skies agreement, create unfair competition and hurt U.S. airlines and workers. They called on the administration take “resolute action” against the foreign air carriers.

{mosads}“These subsidies have allowed their carriers to significantly increase capacity to the U.S. at the expense of our domestic airlines,” the Texas lawmakers wrote.

“President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States will not tolerate unfair, subsidized foreign competition. … We urge you to take swift and resolute action against Gulf subsidies, enforce our trade agreements, and protect American jobs and the domestic economy.”

The Illinois, Michigan, Georgia and Minnesota delegations have sent similar letters to the administration.

The U.S. aviation industry has long expressed frustration that state-owned airlines are posing a threat to U.S. jobs and distorting global competition.

Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have been able to rapidly expand their services and outpace their industry rivals because of their countries’ subsidies.

Trump is contemplating whether to rework international aviation agreements with the Gulf nations amid increasing pressure to take action, Politico reported earlier this month.