Boeing and Embraer have signed a broad – and notably vague – agreement to cooperate on aircraft safety, efficiency and manufacturing productivity.
What if anything the agreement means in real terms remains to be seen. But the timing of the announcement, following a meeting with the US and Brazilian presidents and coinciding with the announcement of a civil aviation partnership between the two countries, indicates a strong diplomatic element to the announcement.
Still, both sides insisted there were “real opportunities” to work together. Embraer CEO Frederico Curado said the agreement was a first step “towards a collaboration between Embraer and Boeing, starting with some research and technological work.”
Boeing, Embraer and Airbus last month signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the development of aviation biofuels, though Boeing and Airbus remain locked in a bitter trade dispute.
