Trump Exempts Aircrafts for Sec 232 Tariff as Importer Overwhelm Industry

[ABS News Service/10.07.2026]

President Trump announced yesterday that he is opting not to impose tariffs on imported aircraft and parts even though the Commerce Department found that the imports pose a national security threat.

Despite the national security finding, Commerce did not recommend the imposition of tariffs in

concluding its Section 232 investigation.

Commerce found that commercial aircraft, jet engines and their associated parts are being

imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States, according to a Presidential proclamation.

Commerce also found that the domestic aircraft industry is struggling to meet economic and national security demands because of practices by foreign countries, over reliance on imports and insufficient incentives to invest domestically.

At the same time, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick did not recommend the immediate imposition of Section 232 tariffs. Instead, he suggested launching negotiations with trading partners.

The President said he will take action if negotiations are not successful after six months.

The negotiations will focus on convincing trading partners to adjust the imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and their associated parts so that such imports will not threaten to impair the national security of the United States, according to the proclamation.

The negotiations will be undertaken by Commerce and the US Trade Representative’s Office.