This kind of attack on taxpayers is not something that came along with neoliberalism.  The European dairy industry has been subsidized by many
different governments in many of the countries for decades and decades,
the French having perfected it.  
Subsidization of industry has always been a big thing with Swedish Social Democrat governments.  It is a way, as you indicate, to create stability in the job market and to put it cynically, get the vote that is wanted.  But keeping jobs has always been the key.  Naturally this has lead to the creation of crown corporation where the state has a stake in the operation.  
Unfortunately, during the purge carried out by neoliberal governments all around, incl. Sweden, many of these corporation have been privatized and when not proven profitable by the new owners have been given the shove off.  There is no easy way out during these hyper capitalist times.  
Getting back at the US Boeing in this case seems to be the only possible way to please us.