Airbus Americas has issued concerns that U.S. tariffs on aircraft components imported from Mexico and Canada may impede the growth of domestic aircraft manufacturing. In a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative, Airbus CEO Robin Hayes emphasized that such tariffs could increase costs and threaten the expansion of their facilities, particularly in Mobile, Alabama, which aims to become a major global aircraft production hub.
The aviation industry faces a surge in global demand, with Airbus projecting a need for over 43,000 new aircraft over the next twenty years. To accommodate this growth, Airbus and Boeing are increasing their production rates, making offshoring parts and assembly critical to maintaining competitive supply chains. Airbus's expansion plans depend heavily on tariff-free trade for aerospace imports.
Industry leaders have called on U.S. authorities to maintain the stability of the North American aerospace supply chain built over decades. Previously, Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury indicated that retaliatory tariffs might lead the company to prioritize deliveries outside the U.S. if domestic costs rise significantly.
The industry-wide concern is that tariffs could disrupt the favourable trade balance and export surplus enjoyed by the U.S. aerospace sector. Projections in April estimated that tariffs on aviation components could add millions to the cost of each aircraft, potentially impacting global supply and pricing.
