The European Union (EU) is planning to impose tariffs on Boeing aircraft as part a proposed retaliation if trade talks with Washington fail, the Financial Times reported.
The media outlet stated that the European Commission, which runs EU trade policy, plans to include civilian aircraft on a list of around $100bn of annual US imports to be targeted, citing two people familiar with the matter.
These measures would need to be approved by a weighted majority of EU member states and would only come into effect if the EU does not make sufficient progress in its talks with Washington to reduce US tariffs on European goods, the report added.
On April 2, 2025, US President Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs of 20% on nearly all exports from the EU. This was cut to 10% one week later on April 9, after the President imposed a 90-day freeze on additional tariffs. This freeze will come to an end on July 8, 2025.
The EU currently faces US import tariffs of 25% on its steel, aluminium and cars.
Maroš Šefčovič, the EU trade commissioner leading talks with the US, told the European parliament on Tuesday that 70% of EU exports to the US now paid tariffs, covering €380bn of EU exports to the US.
If imposed, this would be a blow to Boeing, who conducts around 80% of its business with customers outside of the US. Aerospace products and parts are one of the top US exports to the EU market, totalling $35.3bn in 2023 alone, according to European Commission figures.
Airline Economics has contacted both Boeing and the European Commission for comment.