AIA asks Trump Administration for tariff delays

The AIA, the Aerospace Industries Association, has written the Trump administration asking for a delay in the implementation of tariffs.  In a letter to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, AIA commented on the section 232 national security Investigation of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines and parts and components of those aircraft and engines.

Whatever your political leanings, and whether you like tariffs or don’t, the changing environment brought by the Trump administration have impacted the industry’s ability to accurately plan

in the near term.  Tariffs are looming on aircraft components.  The looming section 232 review could bring about unanticipated impacts if tariffs are implemented.  This is due to the internationalization of the supply chain and the long-term US dominance of the aerospace sector.

When you are number one, do you really need protection?

Given the strong position of the industry in global trade, aerospace comes closest of all industries to meeting the objective of a dominant US-centric industry.   Derek Hartwick, VP of International Affairs for AIA, wrote “No other manufacturing industry holistically aligns with the Trump Administration’s vision for a domestic production economy. Our industry creates high-wage manufacturing jobs in all 50 states, is a leader in global exports due to technological innovation, and is vital to U.S. economic and national security.”