Aircraft Imports Threaten National Security

Trump receives report finding commercial aircraft imports threaten national security under Section 232.

[ADJUSTING IMPORTS OF COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT, JET ENGINES, ANDAIRCRAFT AND ENGINE PARTS INTO THE UNITED STATES] BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1.  Within the past 90 days, the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) transmitted to me a report on his investigation into the effects of imports of commercial aircraft, jet engines, and their associated parts on the national security of the United States under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, as amended, 19 U.S.C. 1862 (section 232).  Based on the facts considered in that investigation, and taking into account the close relation of the economic welfare of the Nation to our national security and other relevant factors, see 19 U.S.C. 1862(d), the Secretary found and advised me of his opinion that commercial aircraft, jet engines, and their associated parts are being imported into the United States in such quantities and under such circumstances as to threaten to impair the national security of the United States. 2.  Among other things, the Secretary found that commercial aircraft, jet engines, and their associated parts are essential to the national security and economy of the United States.  Such products and their related industries provide critical functions for a variety of key sectors of the United States, including defense, cargo, transportation, and tourism.  The United States commercial aircraft manufacturing and industrial base not only supports national defense requirements but also is an important driver of United States economic activity and well-paying American jobs. 3.  For example, the United States Government uses large commercial aircraft — and military aircraft, engines, and parts derived from commercial variants — to perform certain military operations, respond to emergencies, conduct official travel, and transport cargo and troops to advance national security objectives.  Commercial aircraft operated by commercial carriers support national defense requirements by providing air transportation and operational support services to the Department of War (DoW), including Service Component Commands of the United States Transportation Command:  Air Mobility Command, Military Sealift Command, and United States Army Transportation Command.  Further, the manufacturing and industrial base for commercial aircraft, jet engines, and their associated parts supplies DoW with dual-use products and commercially derived defense-specific products, as well as provides important capability to perform maintenance, repair, and overhaul services. 4.  The Secretary found that the United States aircraft industry is facing challenges to adequately meet economic and national security demands.  These challenges are caused by, among other things, actions and practices of foreign countries, overreliance on foreign imports, and insufficient incentives to invest domestically. 5.  The Secretary found that the actions and practices of foreign countries have for decades harmed, and continue to harm, the United States commerc