Deadline For Public Comments June 3

The National Business Aviation Association urges its members and business aviation stakeholders to voice their opinions and concerns on a U.S. Department of Commerce investigation into the impacts of imports of commercial aircraft, engines, and parts on national security.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick opened the investigation under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, addressing the potential impacts of imports to the nation’s economy and national security. The Department is taking public comments as part of its evaluation, with the deadline for comments set for June 3, 2025.

An important point to note is that the ruling on May 28 by the U.S. Court of International Trade blocking President Trump’s tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Powers Act does NOT impact this Section 232 investigation.

Ed Bolen, President and CEO of NBAA explained, “A strong industrial workforce, healthy national economy and a safe national airspace system are vital to our national security. The U.S. leads the world in aerospace manufacturing, and has maintained the largest positive trade balance of any sector for several decades, thanks to 45 years of reciprocal tariff-free trade under the 1979 Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft.”

He added that the U.S. aviation industry currently sports a trade surplus of $104 billion, supports 9.4 million jobs, $1.8 trillion in total economic activity, and contributes 4% of the U.S. GDP, or gross domestic product.

Comments can be submitted via the Voter Voice tool on NBAA’s website. The Association provides suggestions on talking points to help with writing comments.

Bolen concluded with, “U.S. aerospace is a trade success story. As business aviation manufacturers, suppliers and companies adapt to this ever-changing environment, it’s imperative that we share our positive story and information about the trade agreement that enabled our success.”

FMI:  nbaa.org/