The US has threatened to impose tariff counter measures of up to $11.2bn on a host of European products in response to subsidies received by aircraft maker Airbus.
In a statement, the office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) said the World Trade Organisation (WTO) had repeatedly found that EU subsidies to Airbus have caused adverse effects to the United States.
“This case has been in litigation for 14 years, and the time has come for action,” said US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer.
The statement added that the final amount it would seek in duties was subject to arbitration at the WTO, the result of which was expected this summer.