As of October 6, 2025, the United States and the European Union, including France, have implemented a 'zero-for-zero' tariff agreement for the aerospace and defense industry. This agreement, reached in late July 2025 and effective retroactively from September 1, 2025, eliminates tariffs on aircraft and their components. This move is designed to stabilize the highly integrated global aerospace supply chain, ending a period of tariff escalation. The deal covers crucial parts such as engines, landing gear, and seats, fostering tariff-free trade between the two economic blocs.
The aerospace and defense sector is a cornerstone of U.S.-France trade, with aerospace products being a top import for the U.S. from France and a leading U.S. export to France. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), France was the second-largest arms exporter globally for the 2019-2023 period, trailing only the United States. Furthermore, French military imports from the U.S. totaled over $2 billion between 2016 and 2023, highlighting the deep integration and significant financial stakes involved in the bilateral defense trade relationship.
The current 'zero-for-zero' policy marks a complete reversal from the tariff strategy of the previous Trump administration. Previously, tariffs were imposed in the context of the long-running WTO dispute over aircraft subsidies for Airbus and Boeing, which saw U.S. tariffs on new French aircraft increase from 10% to 15% in March 2020 and later expand to components. Additionally, in early 2025, the administration introduced a broad 15% reciprocal tariff on most products from the European Union. The July 2025 agreement has nullified all these specific aerospace-related tariffs.
Component & Subsystem Manufacturing: A 15% tariff on critical parts like engines and avionics was introduced and has now been removed by the July 2025 agreement.
Advanced Materials: A general 15% tariff on materials and a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum under Section 232 were applied, but the new deal creates a 'zero-for-zero' tariff for aerospace and a quota system for steel and aluminum.
Defense Prime Contractors: The primary impact was indirect, stemming from supply chain disruptions and the risk of retaliatory EU tariffs on U.S. defense exports from companies like Lockheed Martin.
Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs: The tariff on complete aircraft from manufacturers like Airbus was increased from 10% to 15% and has now been fully eliminated by the July 2025 agreement.
Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO): A new 15% tariff was imposed on a wide range of aircraft parts essential for MRO activities, which has been nullified by the recent 'zero-for-zero' agreement.
Defense & Government Services: Experienced no direct numerical tariff changes, but the unstable tariff environment under the previous policy created risks for international government contracting and logistics for firms like Leidos.
The new tariff policy has had a universally positive impact on the U.S.-France aerospace and defense trade by eliminating previous tariffs rather than imposing new ones. No subcategories of the industry are negatively impacted by new tariffs. Instead, the entire sector, from upstream component manufacturers like RTX Corporation to downstream MRO service providers, benefits from the removal of the 15% tariffs that had been applied to both finished aircraft and essential parts. This change reduces costs and removes uncertainty across the supply chain.
Following the July 2025 'zero-for-zero' tariff agreement, the entirety of the aerospace and defense trade between the U.S. and France is now exempt from the previously imposed tariffs. This comprehensive exemption covers the full scope of products within the sector, including finished commercial and military aircraft, aircraft engines, avionics, aerostructures, and all other related parts and components traded between the two countries.
As of October 6, 2025, the Trump administration has implemented significant new tariffs affecting Germany's Aerospace & Defense industry. On June 4, 2025, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports were increased to 50% under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing national security concerns. Additionally, a baseline reciprocal tariff of 10% was applied to most imports starting April 5, 2025. These measures aim to protect the U.S. defense industrial base by increasing the cost of essential raw materials for aerospace manufacturing.
Germany maintains a substantial aerospace and defense trade relationship with the United States. In 2024, U.S. aerospace exports to Germany were valued at $3.32 billion, while German exports of aircraft and spacecraft to the U.S. reached $6.25 billion. This trade operates under a recently altered tariff landscape, highlighted by a U.S.-EU agreement that provides specific exemptions for finished aircraft. The relationship navigates a complex environment of broad protectionist measures alongside targeted sectoral deals.
The current U.S. tariff policy represents a significant departure from previous administrations, which typically favored lower tariffs governed by World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. The Trump administration has increasingly used legal instruments like Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad-based tariffs. Unlike the prior approach of resolving disputes through WTO channels, the new policy aims to correct trade imbalances and reshore manufacturing. This has created greater uncertainty in global supply chains, although sector-specific negotiations, such as the U.S.-EU aircraft deal, indicate a willingness to grant exemptions.
Component & Subsystem Manufacturing has been largely shielded by a 0% tariff on parts but faces indirect costs from material tariffs.
Advanced Materials are heavily impacted, with steel and aluminum tariffs increased to 50% and a new 20% tariff on advanced composites like carbon fiber.
Defense Prime Contractors face no new direct tariffs on finished platforms but are affected by rising supply chain costs.
Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs are protected by a 0% tariff on imported aircraft following the U.S.-EU agreement.
Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO) operations benefit from the 0% tariff on aviation parts, which prevents increased costs for imported components.
Defense & Government Services are not directly impacted by tariffs on goods as the sector is primarily service-based.
Trade in raw and advanced materials for the aerospace industry is directly impacted by the new tariffs. German exports of steel and aluminum to the U.S. now face a 50% tariff. Furthermore, a 20% tariff has been applied to advanced composite materials like carbon fiber, which are critical for manufacturing modern aircraft components. While the exact dollar value of these specific material imports is not detailed, these tariffs represent a significant cost increase for the manufacturing supply chain.
The majority of direct trade in the German aerospace and defense sector has been exempted from new tariffs due to a significant U.S.-EU trade deal announced in July 2025. This agreement shields finished commercial aircraft, helicopters, and their parts from new duties. This exemption covers the bulk of Germany's aerospace exports to the U.S., which were valued at $6.25 billion in 2024, providing stability for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their direct suppliers.
As of June 30, 2025, the United States removed a 10% tariff on goods from the United Kingdom's aerospace and defense industry. This policy change stems from the UK-US "Economic Prosperity Deal", which nullified a blanket tariff previously imposed by the Trump administration on April 5, 2025. An executive order signed on June 16, 2025, formalized the tariff removal. This move is designed to ensure that UK-made aerospace components, including engines and aircraft parts, can enter the US market without additional duties, strengthening transatlantic trade.
In 2024, the total goods trade between the U.S. and the UK reached an estimated $148 billion. Specifically within the aerospace sector, the UK's exports of aircraft and spacecraft to the United States accounted for $2.79 billion. The UK's aerospace industry is a significant part of its economy, valued at approximately £40 billion (about $53 billion) and supporting around 450,000 jobs as of 2025. The new "Economic Prosperity Deal" effective June 30, 2025, underpins this trade relationship by eliminating specific tariffs.
The new tariff policy marks a significant shift from the previous one, which was a blanket 10% tariff on nearly all UK goods, effective April 5, 2025. As of June 30, 2025, the policy provides a specific exemption for the entire aerospace and defense industry, reducing the tariff rate from 10% to 0%. This change represents a move from a broad-based tariff strategy to a targeted relief measure. While the "Economic Prosperity Deal" includes tariff-rate quotas for other sectors like steel and aluminum, the aerospace sector is the only one to receive a complete tariff elimination.
The tariff for Component & Subsystem Manufacturing, including parts from companies like RTX Corporation (RTX) and Spirit AeroSystems (SPR), was reduced from 10% to 0%.
For Advanced Materials used in aerospace, supplied by firms such as Hexcel Corporation (HXL), the import tariff was changed from 10% to 0%.
The tariff on components imported from the UK for US Defense Prime Contractors like Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) was eliminated, moving from 10% to 0%.
For Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs such as The Boeing Company (BA), the tariff on UK-sourced aerospace parts and engines was reduced from 10% to 0%.
The tariff on Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO) parts imported from the UK for companies like AAR Corp. (AIR) was reduced from 10% to 0%.
For Defense & Government Services contractors like Leidos (LDOS), the tariff on any related aerospace and defense hardware imported from the UK was changed from 10% to 0%.
Prior to the new policy, the entire UK aerospace export market to the US, valued at $2.79 billion in 2024, was negatively impacted by the 10% tariff imposed on April 5, 2025. This tariff affected a wide range of products including components for companies like Boeing and defense systems for contractors like Lockheed Martin. With the implementation of the "Economic Prosperity Deal," this entire sector is no longer negatively impacted; instead, it is fully exempted, making it the primary beneficiary of the new tariff changes.
Under the new tariff policy effective June 30, 2025, the entirety of the United Kingdom's aerospace and defense sector exports to the US is exempted from the previously imposed 10% tariff. Based on 2024 trade data, this exemption applies to approximately $2.79 billion worth of goods annually. The exemption covers all subcategories within the industry, including aircraft engines, structural components, avionics, and other critical aircraft parts.
As of October 6, 2025, the Trump administration has implemented new tariffs impacting Canada's Aerospace & Defense industry. These measures include a broad 25% tariff on a wide range of Canadian goods that do not meet exemption criteria. Additionally, Section 232 tariffs on steel (25%) and aluminum (10%), which are critical materials for the aerospace sector, remain a significant factor. These levies operate within the complex trade environment governed by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), creating new cost pressures and supply chain considerations for the industry.
The U.S. and Canadian aerospace and defense industries are deeply integrated. In 2023, Canada exported approximately C$12.8 billion ($8.91 billion USD) in aerospace products to the U.S., while importing C$10.2 billion from its southern neighbor. This substantial trade volume operates under the USMCA, which keeps over 85% of bilateral trade tariff-free. However, the aerospace industry faces challenges in meeting the agreement's complex rules of origin, meaning many products may not qualify for these exemptions.
The new tariff policy under the Trump administration marks a significant shift from previous, more liberal trade conditions. The primary change is the introduction of a new, broad-based 25% tariff on a wide range of goods that were previously traded more freely. This is a substantial departure from the framework that existed under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Furthermore, the administration has maintained and reinforced the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, which, while introduced earlier, are now part of a wider protectionist stance affecting the highly integrated North American aerospace supply chain.
Component & Subsystem Manufacturing: Faces a new 25% tariff on many finished components and existing Section 232 tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum.
Advanced Materials: Heavily affected by Section 232 tariffs, with a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports.
Defense Prime Contractors: Impacted by the 25% tariff on non-USMCA compliant subsystems and components supplied to U.S. programs.
Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs: A 25% tariff is now applied to finished aircraft, making Canadian-made planes more expensive for U.S. buyers.
Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO): Input costs are increased by a 25% tariff on imported aircraft parts and components not covered by the USMCA.
The new tariffs primarily impact Canadian aerospace and defense products that do not qualify for exemptions under the USMCA. This includes a wide range of goods, such as finished aerospace components like engines and avionics, and complete commercial and business aircraft, which face a 25% levy. Furthermore, critical raw and semi-finished materials, such as steel and aluminum, are impacted by Section 232 tariffs of 25% and 10% respectively, increasing costs throughout the manufacturing supply chain.
A significant portion of trade remains exempt from the new tariffs under the provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It is estimated that over 85% of U.S.-Canada trade is still conducted tariff-free, provided the goods meet the USMCA's rules of origin. However, for the aerospace and defense industry, the complexity of global supply chains makes it challenging for many high-value products and components to qualify as 'originating' under the agreement, limiting the scope of these exemptions.
As of October 6, 2025, the U.S. has imposed a complex tariff structure on China's aerospace industry. This began with a 10% International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff in early 2025, which was increased to 20% on March 3, 2025. Subsequent reciprocal tariffs escalated to as high as 125%. A temporary agreement on May 12, 2025, reduced the rate to a 30% baseline until November 10, 2025. Additionally, specific proposals target the sector with tariffs of 25% on aircraft components and 20% on advanced composite materials.
In 2024, the United States exported approximately $11.53 billion in aircraft, spacecraft, and parts to China. In contrast, U.S. imports of similar goods from China were valued at around $453.31 million. This trade occurs within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), though no specific bilateral free trade agreement exists for this sector. It is crucial to note that direct trade in defense articles is heavily restricted by U.S. national security policies, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
The 2025 tariff policy marks a substantial escalation from the previous framework established under the Trump administration. The prior policy relied on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, applying tariffs of 7.5% to 25% on specific goods. The new policy introduced broader and more severe tariffs under the IEEPA and a 'reciprocal tariff' doctrine, which briefly reached a combined rate of 145%. Although a temporary agreement established a 30% baseline, this is still higher than the previous rates and has created a more dynamic and unpredictable trade environment.
Component & Subsystem Manufacturing: A 25% Section 301 tariff was imposed on critical aircraft parts, including avionics and fasteners, increasing costs for manufacturers like RTX.
Advanced Materials: A 25% tariff targeted essential materials like specific forms of aluminum and steel, affecting supply chains for companies such as Howmet Aerospace and Hexcel Corporation.
Defense Prime Contractors: Prime contractors like Lockheed Martin were indirectly impacted by 25% tariffs on Chinese electronic components used by their domestic suppliers.
Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs: OEMs like Boeing faced increased production costs due to a 25% tariff on a wide variety of imported aircraft parts and sub-assemblies.
Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO): The MRO sector saw costs rise due to a 25% tariff on a broad range of aircraft replacement parts, impacting firms like AAR Corp. and Heico.
Defense & Government Services: Contractors such as Leidos experienced higher procurement costs for IT hardware and other goods with Chinese subcomponents subject to Section 301 tariffs.
The majority of the $453.31 million in U.S. aerospace and defense-related imports from China in 2024 is impacted by the new tariffs. The foundational Section 301 lists, now augmented by the 2025 measures, cover a wide array of products under HTS Chapter 88 (Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof). Consequently, most aerospace components, subsystems, and advanced materials imported from China are subject to the heightened duties.
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) maintains a product exclusion process for tariffs. As of August 28, 2025, 178 product exclusions were extended through November 29, 2025, which include some unspecified aerospace components. A public comment period is open until October 16, 2025, for further extensions. While the precise monetary value of these exemptions for the aerospace industry is not publicly detailed, it is understood to be a small fraction of the total import value of $453.31 million.
As of October 6, 2025, the United States and the European Union, including France, have implemented a 'zero-for-zero' tariff agreement for the aerospace and defense industry. This agreement, reached in late July 2025 and effective retroactively from September 1, 2025, eliminates tariffs on aircraft and their components. This move is designed to stabilize the highly integrated global aerospace supply chain, ending a period of tariff escalation. The deal covers crucial parts such as engines, landing gear, and seats, fostering tariff-free trade between the two economic blocs.
The aerospace and defense sector is a cornerstone of U.S.-France trade, with aerospace products being a top import for the U.S. from France and a leading U.S. export to France. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), France was the second-largest arms exporter globally for the 2019-2023 period, trailing only the United States. Furthermore, French military imports from the U.S. totaled over $2 billion between 2016 and 2023, highlighting the deep integration and significant financial stakes involved in the bilateral defense trade relationship.
The current 'zero-for-zero' policy marks a complete reversal from the tariff strategy of the previous Trump administration. Previously, tariffs were imposed in the context of the long-running WTO dispute over aircraft subsidies for Airbus and Boeing, which saw U.S. tariffs on new French aircraft increase from 10% to 15% in March 2020 and later expand to components. Additionally, in early 2025, the administration introduced a broad 15% reciprocal tariff on most products from the European Union. The July 2025 agreement has nullified all these specific aerospace-related tariffs.
Component & Subsystem Manufacturing: A 15% tariff on critical parts like engines and avionics was introduced and has now been removed by the July 2025 agreement.
Advanced Materials: A general 15% tariff on materials and a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum under Section 232 were applied, but the new deal creates a 'zero-for-zero' tariff for aerospace and a quota system for steel and aluminum.
Defense Prime Contractors: The primary impact was indirect, stemming from supply chain disruptions and the risk of retaliatory EU tariffs on U.S. defense exports from companies like Lockheed Martin.
Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs: The tariff on complete aircraft from manufacturers like Airbus was increased from 10% to 15% and has now been fully eliminated by the July 2025 agreement.
Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO): A new 15% tariff was imposed on a wide range of aircraft parts essential for MRO activities, which has been nullified by the recent 'zero-for-zero' agreement.
Defense & Government Services: Experienced no direct numerical tariff changes, but the unstable tariff environment under the previous policy created risks for international government contracting and logistics for firms like Leidos.
The new tariff policy has had a universally positive impact on the U.S.-France aerospace and defense trade by eliminating previous tariffs rather than imposing new ones. No subcategories of the industry are negatively impacted by new tariffs. Instead, the entire sector, from upstream component manufacturers like RTX Corporation to downstream MRO service providers, benefits from the removal of the 15% tariffs that had been applied to both finished aircraft and essential parts. This change reduces costs and removes uncertainty across the supply chain.
Following the July 2025 'zero-for-zero' tariff agreement, the entirety of the aerospace and defense trade between the U.S. and France is now exempt from the previously imposed tariffs. This comprehensive exemption covers the full scope of products within the sector, including finished commercial and military aircraft, aircraft engines, avionics, aerostructures, and all other related parts and components traded between the two countries.
As of October 6, 2025, the Trump administration has implemented significant new tariffs affecting Germany's Aerospace & Defense industry. On June 4, 2025, tariffs on steel and aluminum imports were increased to 50% under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, citing national security concerns. Additionally, a baseline reciprocal tariff of 10% was applied to most imports starting April 5, 2025. These measures aim to protect the U.S. defense industrial base by increasing the cost of essential raw materials for aerospace manufacturing.
Germany maintains a substantial aerospace and defense trade relationship with the United States. In 2024, U.S. aerospace exports to Germany were valued at $3.32 billion, while German exports of aircraft and spacecraft to the U.S. reached $6.25 billion. This trade operates under a recently altered tariff landscape, highlighted by a U.S.-EU agreement that provides specific exemptions for finished aircraft. The relationship navigates a complex environment of broad protectionist measures alongside targeted sectoral deals.
The current U.S. tariff policy represents a significant departure from previous administrations, which typically favored lower tariffs governed by World Trade Organization (WTO) agreements. The Trump administration has increasingly used legal instruments like Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad-based tariffs. Unlike the prior approach of resolving disputes through WTO channels, the new policy aims to correct trade imbalances and reshore manufacturing. This has created greater uncertainty in global supply chains, although sector-specific negotiations, such as the U.S.-EU aircraft deal, indicate a willingness to grant exemptions.
Component & Subsystem Manufacturing has been largely shielded by a 0% tariff on parts but faces indirect costs from material tariffs.
Advanced Materials are heavily impacted, with steel and aluminum tariffs increased to 50% and a new 20% tariff on advanced composites like carbon fiber.
Defense Prime Contractors face no new direct tariffs on finished platforms but are affected by rising supply chain costs.
Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs are protected by a 0% tariff on imported aircraft following the U.S.-EU agreement.
Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO) operations benefit from the 0% tariff on aviation parts, which prevents increased costs for imported components.
Defense & Government Services are not directly impacted by tariffs on goods as the sector is primarily service-based.
Trade in raw and advanced materials for the aerospace industry is directly impacted by the new tariffs. German exports of steel and aluminum to the U.S. now face a 50% tariff. Furthermore, a 20% tariff has been applied to advanced composite materials like carbon fiber, which are critical for manufacturing modern aircraft components. While the exact dollar value of these specific material imports is not detailed, these tariffs represent a significant cost increase for the manufacturing supply chain.
The majority of direct trade in the German aerospace and defense sector has been exempted from new tariffs due to a significant U.S.-EU trade deal announced in July 2025. This agreement shields finished commercial aircraft, helicopters, and their parts from new duties. This exemption covers the bulk of Germany's aerospace exports to the U.S., which were valued at $6.25 billion in 2024, providing stability for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their direct suppliers.
As of June 30, 2025, the United States removed a 10% tariff on goods from the United Kingdom's aerospace and defense industry. This policy change stems from the UK-US "Economic Prosperity Deal", which nullified a blanket tariff previously imposed by the Trump administration on April 5, 2025. An executive order signed on June 16, 2025, formalized the tariff removal. This move is designed to ensure that UK-made aerospace components, including engines and aircraft parts, can enter the US market without additional duties, strengthening transatlantic trade.
In 2024, the total goods trade between the U.S. and the UK reached an estimated $148 billion. Specifically within the aerospace sector, the UK's exports of aircraft and spacecraft to the United States accounted for $2.79 billion. The UK's aerospace industry is a significant part of its economy, valued at approximately £40 billion (about $53 billion) and supporting around 450,000 jobs as of 2025. The new "Economic Prosperity Deal" effective June 30, 2025, underpins this trade relationship by eliminating specific tariffs.
The new tariff policy marks a significant shift from the previous one, which was a blanket 10% tariff on nearly all UK goods, effective April 5, 2025. As of June 30, 2025, the policy provides a specific exemption for the entire aerospace and defense industry, reducing the tariff rate from 10% to 0%. This change represents a move from a broad-based tariff strategy to a targeted relief measure. While the "Economic Prosperity Deal" includes tariff-rate quotas for other sectors like steel and aluminum, the aerospace sector is the only one to receive a complete tariff elimination.
The tariff for Component & Subsystem Manufacturing, including parts from companies like RTX Corporation (RTX) and Spirit AeroSystems (SPR), was reduced from 10% to 0%.
For Advanced Materials used in aerospace, supplied by firms such as Hexcel Corporation (HXL), the import tariff was changed from 10% to 0%.
The tariff on components imported from the UK for US Defense Prime Contractors like Lockheed Martin (LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NOC) was eliminated, moving from 10% to 0%.
For Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs such as The Boeing Company (BA), the tariff on UK-sourced aerospace parts and engines was reduced from 10% to 0%.
The tariff on Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO) parts imported from the UK for companies like AAR Corp. (AIR) was reduced from 10% to 0%.
For Defense & Government Services contractors like Leidos (LDOS), the tariff on any related aerospace and defense hardware imported from the UK was changed from 10% to 0%.
Prior to the new policy, the entire UK aerospace export market to the US, valued at $2.79 billion in 2024, was negatively impacted by the 10% tariff imposed on April 5, 2025. This tariff affected a wide range of products including components for companies like Boeing and defense systems for contractors like Lockheed Martin. With the implementation of the "Economic Prosperity Deal," this entire sector is no longer negatively impacted; instead, it is fully exempted, making it the primary beneficiary of the new tariff changes.
Under the new tariff policy effective June 30, 2025, the entirety of the United Kingdom's aerospace and defense sector exports to the US is exempted from the previously imposed 10% tariff. Based on 2024 trade data, this exemption applies to approximately $2.79 billion worth of goods annually. The exemption covers all subcategories within the industry, including aircraft engines, structural components, avionics, and other critical aircraft parts.
As of October 6, 2025, the Trump administration has implemented new tariffs impacting Canada's Aerospace & Defense industry. These measures include a broad 25% tariff on a wide range of Canadian goods that do not meet exemption criteria. Additionally, Section 232 tariffs on steel (25%) and aluminum (10%), which are critical materials for the aerospace sector, remain a significant factor. These levies operate within the complex trade environment governed by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), creating new cost pressures and supply chain considerations for the industry.
The U.S. and Canadian aerospace and defense industries are deeply integrated. In 2023, Canada exported approximately C$12.8 billion ($8.91 billion USD) in aerospace products to the U.S., while importing C$10.2 billion from its southern neighbor. This substantial trade volume operates under the USMCA, which keeps over 85% of bilateral trade tariff-free. However, the aerospace industry faces challenges in meeting the agreement's complex rules of origin, meaning many products may not qualify for these exemptions.
The new tariff policy under the Trump administration marks a significant shift from previous, more liberal trade conditions. The primary change is the introduction of a new, broad-based 25% tariff on a wide range of goods that were previously traded more freely. This is a substantial departure from the framework that existed under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Furthermore, the administration has maintained and reinforced the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, which, while introduced earlier, are now part of a wider protectionist stance affecting the highly integrated North American aerospace supply chain.
Component & Subsystem Manufacturing: Faces a new 25% tariff on many finished components and existing Section 232 tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum.
Advanced Materials: Heavily affected by Section 232 tariffs, with a 25% tariff on steel and a 10% tariff on aluminum imports.
Defense Prime Contractors: Impacted by the 25% tariff on non-USMCA compliant subsystems and components supplied to U.S. programs.
Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs: A 25% tariff is now applied to finished aircraft, making Canadian-made planes more expensive for U.S. buyers.
Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO): Input costs are increased by a 25% tariff on imported aircraft parts and components not covered by the USMCA.
The new tariffs primarily impact Canadian aerospace and defense products that do not qualify for exemptions under the USMCA. This includes a wide range of goods, such as finished aerospace components like engines and avionics, and complete commercial and business aircraft, which face a 25% levy. Furthermore, critical raw and semi-finished materials, such as steel and aluminum, are impacted by Section 232 tariffs of 25% and 10% respectively, increasing costs throughout the manufacturing supply chain.
A significant portion of trade remains exempt from the new tariffs under the provisions of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). It is estimated that over 85% of U.S.-Canada trade is still conducted tariff-free, provided the goods meet the USMCA's rules of origin. However, for the aerospace and defense industry, the complexity of global supply chains makes it challenging for many high-value products and components to qualify as 'originating' under the agreement, limiting the scope of these exemptions.
As of October 6, 2025, the U.S. has imposed a complex tariff structure on China's aerospace industry. This began with a 10% International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff in early 2025, which was increased to 20% on March 3, 2025. Subsequent reciprocal tariffs escalated to as high as 125%. A temporary agreement on May 12, 2025, reduced the rate to a 30% baseline until November 10, 2025. Additionally, specific proposals target the sector with tariffs of 25% on aircraft components and 20% on advanced composite materials.
In 2024, the United States exported approximately $11.53 billion in aircraft, spacecraft, and parts to China. In contrast, U.S. imports of similar goods from China were valued at around $453.31 million. This trade occurs within the framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO), though no specific bilateral free trade agreement exists for this sector. It is crucial to note that direct trade in defense articles is heavily restricted by U.S. national security policies, such as the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
The 2025 tariff policy marks a substantial escalation from the previous framework established under the Trump administration. The prior policy relied on Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, applying tariffs of 7.5% to 25% on specific goods. The new policy introduced broader and more severe tariffs under the IEEPA and a 'reciprocal tariff' doctrine, which briefly reached a combined rate of 145%. Although a temporary agreement established a 30% baseline, this is still higher than the previous rates and has created a more dynamic and unpredictable trade environment.
Component & Subsystem Manufacturing: A 25% Section 301 tariff was imposed on critical aircraft parts, including avionics and fasteners, increasing costs for manufacturers like RTX.
Advanced Materials: A 25% tariff targeted essential materials like specific forms of aluminum and steel, affecting supply chains for companies such as Howmet Aerospace and Hexcel Corporation.
Defense Prime Contractors: Prime contractors like Lockheed Martin were indirectly impacted by 25% tariffs on Chinese electronic components used by their domestic suppliers.
Commercial & Business Aircraft OEMs: OEMs like Boeing faced increased production costs due to a 25% tariff on a wide variety of imported aircraft parts and sub-assemblies.
Maintenance, Repair, & Overhaul (MRO): The MRO sector saw costs rise due to a 25% tariff on a broad range of aircraft replacement parts, impacting firms like AAR Corp. and Heico.
Defense & Government Services: Contractors such as Leidos experienced higher procurement costs for IT hardware and other goods with Chinese subcomponents subject to Section 301 tariffs.
The majority of the $453.31 million in U.S. aerospace and defense-related imports from China in 2024 is impacted by the new tariffs. The foundational Section 301 lists, now augmented by the 2025 measures, cover a wide array of products under HTS Chapter 88 (Aircraft, spacecraft, and parts thereof). Consequently, most aerospace components, subsystems, and advanced materials imported from China are subject to the heightened duties.
The United States Trade Representative (USTR) maintains a product exclusion process for tariffs. As of August 28, 2025, 178 product exclusions were extended through November 29, 2025, which include some unspecified aerospace components. A public comment period is open until October 16, 2025, for further extensions. While the precise monetary value of these exemptions for the aerospace industry is not publicly detailed, it is understood to be a small fraction of the total import value of $453.31 million.