US aircraft maker Boeing and American officials are declaring victory in a lengthy trade battle against Europe's Airbus. That came after the World Trade Organization ruled that the European Union failed to end illegal subsidies for the plane consortium.

The WTO found that Airbus had won aircraft sales over Boeing in Europe, China, and India because of 22 billion US dollars in illegal subsidies.

The ruling permits the US to levy retaliatory duties of up to 10 billion dollars a year against the EU. The EU said in response to the ruling that it found some of the findings "unsatisfactory" and has the right to appeal.