OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Gov. Chris Gregoire is encouraging partnerships between Washington aerospace companies and Airbus.
Gregoire toured a facility for Boeing’s chief rival on Friday, saying that Washington state is an unmatched aerospace center. She wants the France-based planemaker to consider Washington suppliers for future manufacturing.
The stop in Germany came after Gregoire’s trip to the Paris Air Show, where she was a cheerleader for Boeing. The Chicago-based company is one of Washington’s major employers. Airbus has secured about $72 billion worth of orders and commitments at the air show — three times as much as Boeing.
Gregoire is returning from her eight-day trade mission this weekend.
