On July 9, 2026, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation titled Adjusting Imports of Commercial Aircraft, Jet Engines, and Aircraft and Engine Parts into the United States. The proclamation provides that tariffs under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. § 1862 (“Section 232”), will not be imposed on imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, or related parts, notwithstanding allegations that such imports pose a threat to national security. Instead, the proclamation provides for a 180-day period of continued discussions and negotiations, during which the parties may seek to reach agreements addressing the identified national security concerns. Those negotiations may result in arrangements to adjust import levels or, alternatively, the future imposition of tariffs if satisfactory agreements cannot be achieved.

In addition, the Secretary of Commerce (“Secretary”) and the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) are directed to monitor and assess the status of such imports in consultation with senior Executive Branch officials. The Secretary is further instructed to advise the President of any developments or circumstances that may warrant additional action under Section 232.

This proclamation follows the Commerce Department’s investigation into the national security implications of imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and related parts, which was originally initiated on May 1, 2025.

Section 232:

Section 232 authorizes the President to regulate imports of articles and their derivative products when such imports enter the United States in quantities or under circumstances that threaten to impair national security. The statute further empowers the President to develop and implement a responsive course of action, including modifications over time, to address identified national security concerns. Such action may include negotiating agreements designed to adjust imports and mitigate the perceived threat, including through the imposition of tariffs. The Secretary is tasked with assessing the impact of imports in key national security sectors. In this instance, the Commerce Department found the following risks:

• The United States’ significant dependence on foreign imports and international supply chains has contributed to the underutilization of domestic manufacturing capacity and has exacerbated the decline of a skilled aerospace workforce resulting from industry downsizing.
• Quality-control deficiencies within foreign supply chains have led to the introduction of noncompliant and counterfeit aircraft components, resulting in aircraft groundings, fuselage corrosion, and compromised jet engine performance, thereby affecting both commercial and defense aviation fleets.
• In evaluating the factors set forth in Section 232(d), the Secretary determined that reliance on foreign imports leaves the U.S. aerospace supply chain vulnerable to external disruptions and potential foreign influence.
• Foreign imports diminish incentives for U.S. manufacturers to invest in expanding domestic production capacity and workforce development, as firms increasingly outsource production or rely on imported components to reduce costs.
• Competitive pressures from lower-cost foreign suppliers further compel domestic manufacturers to restrain wage growth and limit hiring, reducing the attractiveness of aerospace manufacturing careers. According to the Secretary, these conditions may contribute to increased production costs, industry consolidation, supply-chain uncertainty, and procurement delays affecting military aircraft, engines, and related parts.
• Collectively, these conditions impair the ability of the domestic aerospace industry to satisfy the United States’ national security requirements.

The Husch Blackwell International Trade and Supply Chain team continues to monitor developments and will provide updates as they are available. If you have any questions about this latest development, please contact your Husch Blackwell attorney.

Written with the assistance of Mia Hammel, summer associate in Husch Blackwell’s Phoenix office.