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A KC-135 of U.S Air Force takes off from Manas U.S. air base near Bishkek, February 12, 2009.
European partner EADS and Northrop Grumman withdrew from tender bid of a $50billion refuelling plane contract because of alleged protectism rules that favor rival Boeing.
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, left, embraces French President Nicholas Sarkozy, as he arrives in Downing Street in London, Friday, March 12, 2010. A Downing Street spokesman says the discussions with French President Nicolas Sarkozy are likely to focus on the economy. European leaders are scheduled to meet in Brussels on March 25 and 26
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, left, welcomes French President Nicholas Sarkozy, as he arrives in Downing Street in London, Friday, March 12, 2010. A Downing Street spokesman says the discussions with French President Nicolas Sarkozy are likely to focus on the economy. European leaders are scheduled to meet in Brussels on March 25 and 26
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown, left, embraces French President Nicholas Sarkozy, as he arrives in Downing Street in London, Friday, March 12, 2010.
The French and British leaders accused the U.S. of protectionism on Friday over a contract to build a new Air Force refueling tanker.
A European-led consortium pulled out of bidding this week for the $35 billion contract, saying the Pentagon was favoring rival American bidder Boeing.
"This is not the right way for the United States to treat its European allies," French President Nicolas Sarkozy said.
"If they want to be spearheading the fight against protectionism, they shouldn't be setting the wrong example of protectionism," he said. "In life there is what you say and then there is what you do."
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he was disappointed with the situation.
"We believe in free trade, we believe in open markets, we believe in open competition," he said.
The withdrawal of a bid by EADS, the parent company of Airbus, and Northrop Grumman, leaves Chicago-based Boeing as the only bidder for the 179-tanker order.
The EADS-led consortium was awarded a contract for the tanker fleet in 2008, but Boeing protested and the deal was annulled later that year.
The European Union has warned Washington about possible protectionism, saying it "would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract."
Sarkozy and Brown gave their news conference after holding talks at the prime minister's residence that focused largely on the economy.
Both leaders suggested a compromise was possible next week on the thorny issue of hedge fund and private equity fund regulation. The U.S. and Britain, which is home to most European hedge funds, are wary of proposed EU reforms to regulate the industry, fearing they could stifle growth and harm business.
Together with the financial industry, they have criticized the proposed reforms as too stringent, while socialist European lawmakers — eager to crack down on risky trading — see them as too lenient.
"I believe, as Nicolas does, that we can reach a solution over the next few days on these issues," Brown said.
The European Commission recommended last year that hedge funds and private equity funds should register in Europe and inform regulators about trades and debts to prove that they don't pose a risk to the financial system.
Funds based outside Europe would have to show that they face similar oversight at home and cooperate with European tax authorities. The reforms were intended to pressure the U.S. to step up supervision.
British Treasury chief Alistair Darling has suggested that hedge funds authorized by regulators to operate in any one EU country should then be allowed a "passport" to operate across the bloc.
Sarkozy later held a meeting with Britain's main opposition leader, David Cameron, who is hoping to oust Brown at a national election to be held by June 3. Cameron's office said the men pledged to maintain close ties if the Conservative Party leader becomes British prime minister.
U.S. setting bad example on protectionism: Sarkozy
President Nicolas Sarkozy of France accused Washington on Friday of setting the wrong example on protectionism, suggesting there had not been a level playing field in the race for a $50 billion refueling plane contract.
U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman and its European partner EADS withdrew on Monday from a renewed competition to supply tankers to the U.S. Air Force, saying the rules favored rival bidder Boeing, the top U.S. exporter.
Boeing is now the sole known bidder for the contract.
Asked what he thought of the issue during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sarkozy delivered a scathing attack on how the United States had handled the tender.
"I did not appreciate this decision ... This is not the right way to behave," Sarkozy said.
"Such methods by the United States are not good for its European allies, and such methods are not good for the United States, a great, leading nation with which we are on close and friendly terms," he said.
"If they want to be heard in the fight against protectionism, they should not set the example of protectionism."
For EADS, the parent company of the Airbus plane-maker, the stand-down was a setback in a major push to pierce the lucrative U.S. military market.
Northrop and EADS won the last competition in February 2008, but the Pentagon canceled that deal after government auditors upheld a protest by Boeing.
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