Boeing: Renouncing tax break would be first class

Re: “Trade fights with Boeing, Airbus here for the long haul,” (Bill Virgin column, 12/4).

Can we dream that Boeing could look at the recent WTO ruling, in which Washington state’s tax subsidy to keep the 777X wing was deemed illegal, as an opportunity to send a positive message to this state? How refreshing would it be to read a statement that Boeing is foregoing the promised tax break but will still keep the production here.

I would hope Boeing appreciates that the business-supportive environment it advocates in Washington (a strong infrastructure, education, etc.) is financed out of tax revenues, and that every dollar Boeing saves by not paying taxes makes providing those needed services more difficult.

This story was originally published December 8, 2016 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Boeing: Renouncing tax break would be first class."