US arms buyer spurns call to include WTO in tanker bids

WASHINGTON Nov 23 (Reuters) - The Pentagon's chief arms buyer spurned pressure from Boeing Co (BA.N) allies in Congress to factor a recent World Trade Organization ruling against Airbus into the multibillion-dollar competition to supply mid-air refueling aircraft to the U.S. Air Force.

Ashton Carter, under secretary of defense for acquisition, told reporters the Pentagon had addressed the trade issue when it put out draft bidding rules in September for a tanker rematch between Boeing and the team of Northrop Grumman Corp (NOC.N) and Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA).

At the time, the Pentagon said the World Trade Organization findings were preliminary and noted there was a counterclaim against Boeing from Toulouse, France-based Airbus. (Reporting by Jim Wolf; editing by Lisa Von Ahn) ((jim.wolf@thomsonreuters.com; +1-202-898-8402; Reuters Messaging: jim.wolf.reuters.com@reuters.net))