15.07.2026 Regulation #USA #Import #Duties #Trade agreements
US shelves aircraft and jet engine tariffs, gives partners 180 days
US President Donald Trump signed Proclamation 11040 on July 9, 2026, concluding a Section 232 investigation into imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines and aircraft and engine parts. The proclamation was published in the Federal Register on July 15, 2026 (91 FR 43507–43510, FR Doc. 2026-14334). The key takeaway for the industry: no immediate tariffs. Instead, the Department of Commerce and the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) have been given 180 days to negotiate with trading partners (White House fact sheet).
What the Section 232 probe found
The Section 232 investigation under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 was launched by the Secretary of Commerce in May 2025 (Supply Chain Dive). Commerce concluded that imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines and related parts "threaten to impair" US national security (Federal Register, full text). The findings cite the risk of counterfeit components entering the market, excessive reliance on foreign supply chains, underutilized domestic manufacturing capacity and a shrinking skilled workforce. The fact sheet also notes that decades of foreign government subsidies have eroded US manufacturers' global market share (White House fact sheet).
Negotiations instead of immediate tariffs
Despite these security concerns, the Commerce Secretary recommended against imposing tariffs right away (Supply Chain Dive). The proclamation directs Commerce and USTR to jointly pursue agreements with trading partners on issues related to aircraft, engine and parts imports (White House, proclamation text). This mirrors the approach the administration already applied earlier this year in its January decision on critical minerals and semiconductors (Supply Chain Dive).
Who is affected and what it means for business
The action applies to imports from any country and concerns manufacturers and importers of commercial aircraft, jet engines and components, as well as airlines that depend on a steady supply of parts. As long as tariffs remain unimposed, businesses can operate under current import conditions, but they should factor in the risk that duties could still emerge from the negotiations: the fact sheet notes the president "may also take other actions he deems necessary to adjust imports" if agreements "are not entered into within 180 days… are not being carried out, or are ineffective" (White House fact sheet).
What comes next
The Commerce Secretary and USTR must report to the president on the status of negotiations within 180 days of the proclamation's date (Federal Register, full text). Until that deadline passes, industry players can rely on existing tariff conditions, but they should watch the negotiations closely, since their outcome will determine whether aircraft, engine and parts imports remain duty-free or whether Washington moves ahead with tariffs.
Primary sources
- Adjusting Imports of Commercial Aircraft, Jet Engines, and Aircraft and Engine Parts Into the United States — The White House
- Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Adjusts Imports of Commercial Aircraft, Jet Engines, and Aircraft and Engine Parts — The White House
- Proclamation 11040, 91 FR 43507–43510 — Federal Register
- Trump chooses trade talks over tariffs after aircraft probe — Supply Chain Dive
This material is for information only and does not constitute legal advice or customs consulting. Verify changes against the primary sources before acting.