The European Union is expected to announce new tariff counter-measures on Thursday targeting U.S. aerospace exports, including Boeing jets, in response to escalating trade tensions with Washington.
The move comes after the U.S. imposed sweeping tariffs on European goods, including a 10% levy on Airbus aircraft.
Industry and diplomatic sources say this is the most serious threat of a transatlantic trade conflict in the $150 billion global aerospace market since 2021. According to the Financial Times, the EU plans to target roughly $100 billion in annual U.S. imports, a list that will now include civil aircraft—potentially raising costs for European carriers with large Boeing orders.
The tariff threat follows a wave of new U.S. trade actions introduced under President Donald Trump, including 25% tariffs on EU steel, aluminum, and autos, and reciprocal 10% tariffs on most other imports. The temporary 90-day pause on these tariffs is set to expire on July 8, adding urgency to ongoing talks.
Speaking in Singapore, European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic confirmed the EU will proceed with counter-measures if negotiations fail, calling for a “level playing field” in transatlantic aviation trade.
While the European Commission and Boeing have declined comment, industry leaders on both sides of the Atlantic have expressed concern. In a rare show of unity, Airbus and Boeing have jointly called for a return to duty-free trade in aerospace, underscoring that further escalation could hurt the entire sector.
“Only losers will emerge from a tariff war in aerospace,” said Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury, who urged a return to the 1979 Aircraft Trade Agreement, which previously shielded aircraft and parts from such trade measures.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg echoed that message in recent Congressional testimony, emphasizing the need for free trade to protect jobs and industry competitiveness.
Despite the shared stance from manufacturers, airlines are growing increasingly anxious. Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier and one of Boeing’s biggest clients, has threatened to cancel hundreds of aircraft orders if U.S. tariffs result in higher costs. The airline is reportedly seeking contractual assurances from Boeing against such price hikes.
However, industry experts note that alternatives are limited. With Airbus production slots fully booked until the end of the decade and strict aerospace contract terms, carriers like Ryanair and Delta Air Lines—which has threatened to delay Airbus deliveries—may find little flexibility to alter long-term fleet plans.
As both sides weigh economic and political costs, the looming threat of aerospace tariff escalation is testing fragile cooperation in one of the world's most globally integrated industries. The coming days may prove pivotal for whether diplomacy or retaliation shapes the next phase of U.S.-EU trade relations.
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In a region long defined by conflict and complex history, AnewZ set out to hear the voices that matter most- those of the people.
Two staff members from the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.- Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were shot and killed on Wednesday night by a lone gunman as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, close to the White House.
Iran and the United States ended their fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome with some progress but no resolution, according to the mediator from Oman.
Russia is preparing to present Ukraine with a draft peace proposal once a recent prisoner swap concludes, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Friday, signaling a potential step forward in peace efforts.
Boeing has struck a deal with the U.S. Justice Department to avoid criminal charges over the 737 Max tragedies, agreeing to pay over $1.1 billion in penalties, victim support, and safety reforms.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
German police say at least 17 people were injured in a knife attack at Hamburg’s main train station on Friday.
Iran and the United States ended their fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome with some progress but no resolution, according to the mediator from Oman.
Despite warnings from FEMA that offering aid to migrants might violate smuggling laws, shelters along the U.S.-Mexico border continue to receive individuals released by ICE, creating confusion and concern among nonprofits.
Russia is preparing to present Ukraine with a draft peace proposal once a recent prisoner swap concludes, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Friday, signaling a potential step forward in peace efforts.
Boeing has struck a deal with the U.S. Justice Department to avoid criminal charges over the 737 Max tragedies, agreeing to pay over $1.1 billion in penalties, victim support, and safety reforms.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
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