Europe’s Opposition Upsets Lawmakers

The United States’ relationship with Europe is jeopardized by the European Union’s opposition to Boeing Co.’s acquisition of McDonnell Douglas Corp., U.S. lawmakers said in a letter to Jacques Santer, president of the European Commission.

“The stand of the European Union is unacceptable,” said the letter, signed by more than 100 lawmakers in Congress. The Europeans’ threat to declare the $15 billion combination illegal is “threatening the U.S.-European relationship and will have damaging effects now and in the future.”

The letter will be sent today, said Chris Strow, a spokesman for Washington Republican Rep. Jack Metcalf. The congressman represents Everett, Washington, where Boeing builds 747 and 777 airplanes.