The US and European Union sought to calm tempers on Sunday after an acrimonious breakdown in talks left in doubt the future of negotiations about government subsidies for Boeing and Airbus. Weeks of delicate negotiations between Robert Zoellick, the outgoing US trade representative, and Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, exploded on Friday night, after a tense, hour-long teleconference.

The two sides accused each other of breaking off the talks, with the US saying Mr Mandelson had ?terminated? the call.