The United States have been jointly accused of "protectionism" over a $53 billion aerospace contract by Britain's prime minister and the president of France.

The Daily Telegraph reported on Friday that Gordon Brown and Nicolas Sarkozy alleged that the Pentagon was favoring American company Boeing over the European consortium bidding to build refueling tanker aircraft for the U. S. Air Force.

The newspaper further said that the consortium withdrew from the bidding this week.

Sarkozy said in a joint news conference with Brown," This is not the right way for the United States to treat its European allies. If they want to be spearheading the fight against protectionism, they shouldn't be setting the wrong example of protectionism."

Brown also expressed his disappointment," We believe in free trade, we believe in open markets, we believe in open competition."

The BBC reported that the news conference took a sudden turn as two reporters questioned Sarkozy about recent rumors of marital problems.

Sarkozy responded," I certainly don't have time to deal with these ridiculous rumors, not even half a fraction of a second."

The BBC further said that Brown quickly called an end to the news conference. (With Inputs from Agencies)