COLOGNE, March 27 (Reuters) - Europe's top aviation

regulator signalled improved relations with the U.S. FAA and

said Boeing ( BA ) was responding "in the appropriate manner" to

regulatory scrutiny, suggesting recent transatlantic tensions

over aviation safety have eased.

Relations between the European Union Aviation Safety Agency

(EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration soured after

fatal Boeing 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019 were linked to

flawed software and poor oversight, prompting EASA to take a

closer look at Boeing ( BA ) designs.

"Very honestly and transparently, I think it has improved

quite a lot. We are working now as trustful partners," EASA

Executive Director Florian Guillermet said in an interview.

"We are in a phase where we are trusting the FAA to do the

right things, and I have no indication today that they are not

taking care of their homework and that Boeing ( BA ) ... is not

reacting appropriately," he said.

"We do see that the FAA is taking care of what they should

be taking care of, and that Boeing ( BA ) is reacting to that in the

appropriate manner," he said, adding that his remarks referred

to both aircraft certification and production issues.

EASA is the lead regulator for Airbus jets and one

of several major agencies that certify domestic aircraft while

recognising each other's decisions through bilateral agreements,

though they can ask detailed questions.

The international system of mutual recognition came under

strain in January when U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to

decertify Canadian business jets and impose extra tariffs unless

Canada approved a number of U.S. models.

Guillermet declined to comment directly on the dispute but

said the overall certification system should remain free of

interference.

"It is a technical job that has to remain a technical job,"

he said.