* Sources say aim is to go beyond traditional joint venture
* Boeing sensitive to Brazil's defence concerns - source
* Tie-up partly mirrors link between Airbus and Bombardier
By Tim Hepher
PARIS, Dec 23 (Reuters) - Boeing Co is eyeing a broad partnership with Embraer reaching beyond commercial aircraft to defence and global services, but its shape hinges on talks with the Brazilian government.
The U.S. aerospace group has yet to make a formal offer and its final structure would be driven by talks that are expected to resume in coming weeks - but sources say the aim is to go well beyond traditional joint ventures or an equity infusion.
"A broader combination would be preferred but Boeing is sensitive to concerns the government may have about issues like defence. If those can be addressed ... this deal can get done," a person with direct knowledge of the discussions said.
Political obstacles to a deal have eased since a U.S. spying scandal helped derail a Boeing fighter sale to Brazil in 2013.
Brazilian President Michel Temer, who took office last year, has pushed a market-friendly agenda aimed at privatising utilities and reducing the government's role in state-run firms.
But Temer has been wrestling with single-digit poll ratings and officials have warned they would veto any full bid.
"The companies are now working through the regulatory issues with the government of Brazil. The defence portfolio would be handled in accordance with the government of Brazil and the golden share and discussions are ongoing," the person said.
A tie-up would round out Boeing's commercial portfolio at the lower end where sales have been slow, and echo a venture between Airbus and Canada's Bombardier on the CSeries jet.
Analysts say October's deal for Airbus to control the new Canadian project left Embraer looking exposed with its smaller E-Jet, and keenly aware that China may be on the prowl again after seeing its own efforts to buy the CSeries thwarted.
Though most sources say that deal rang alarms at Embraer, people involved in the Boeing talks insist they are independent.
"It is a longstanding relationship that has evolved over time. These discussions have been going on for the better part of a year and came into greater focus in the last few months, but well before the Airbus and Bombardier announcement. It is not a reactive play," the person with direct knowledge said.
'GROWTH PLAY'
Boeing and Embraer have long pondered commercial links and sources say they were close to a deal last decade for the Brazilian company to work on the next Boeing single-aisle jet.