US holds off on commercial aircraft tariffs

The United States is holding off on immediate new tariffs on commercial aircraft and parts after a Commerce Department investigation, according to a proclamation signed Thursday by President Donald Trump. The proclamation said the probe found that actions by foreign countries “continue to harm” the US commercial aircraft manufacturing industry and that the United States is too reliant on foreign supply chains. It also said the commerce secretary recommended that no immediate tariffs be imposed on imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines and associated parts to address possible national security risks. The administration is seeking further negotiations with trading partners to adjust aircraft-related imports so their volumes do not threaten US national security, while leaving open the possibility of later action. The aircraft investigation was conducted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, the same authority used for other sector-specific tariffs.