US Department of Commerce aircraft investigation could bring new tariffs, trade restrictions VAI Member Action Alert! The US Department of Commerce has launched a request for public comments related to a Section 232 national security investigation* into imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and related components. The investigation will assess whether such imports have the potential to threaten national security by undermining the domestic aerospace supply chain and could result in new tariffs or trade restrictions on imported aerospace products. The department’s review will look at factors like the impact of foreign government subsidies, current demand for commercial aircraft and jet engines, and the feasibility of increasing domestic capacity for commercial aircraft. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a request for public comment, available through Federal Register docket number BIS-2024-0022, which will be open through Jun. 3, 2025. VAI’s Position & Actions Many operators and manufacturers in the vertical flight sector rely on imported engines, airframes, and avionics. The potential for new tariffs could significantly affect costs, maintenance and production, and supply chains. VAI has submitted comments to BIS in response to the request for public comment. What You Can Do VAI encourages members to submit your own comments to BIS by the Jun. 3, 2025, deadline using VAI’s response as a template and adding any unique details you wish to provide. When submitting, you can choose to upload a document or enter comments directly into the provided form. Note: If your comments include confidential business information, you must follow specific procedures to ensure they will not be posted publicly. Submitting comments as “confidential” only means that your information will not be published in the Federal Register or made publicly available. *Further guidance on the Section 232 program is available at bis.doc.gov/232.
