Brussels, 16/01/2008 (Agence Europe) - On the first day of the 2nd WTO Panel Hearing (16-17 January) in Geneva in the European complaint that Boeing received public subsidies (DS 353), the EU condemned hidden subsidies received by the US plane constructor through military contracts awarded it. Boeing makes both civilian and military aircraft. It is claimed that Boeing received $10.4 billion from NASA in the guise of R&D programmes to produce civil aircraft. According to the European Commission, Washington's figure of $750 million for these programmes is not supported by any proof. In addition, the Commission says that Boeing's latest commercial aeroplane, the 787 Dreamliner, uses NASA technology in six areas, including composite materials, aerodynamics, electrical systems, noise and on-board safety. When tax breaks awarded to Boeing by several US states are included, the EU says that Boeing received a total of $23.7 billion in subsidies between 1990 and 2004. (E.H.)