AVIATION CAPITAL GROUP BREAK Ex-Im FUNDING RECORD
12th September 2012
The French aerospace sector has urged the European Commission to adopt “measured and decisive” counteractions if new US tariffs inflict serious harm on one of the country's key export industries, Reuters reported on April 3, 2025, citing a source familiar with the issue.
The appeal came from French aerospace association GIFAS, which is currently chaired by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury.
The group reportedly stated that any retaliatory steps should be carefully designed to minimise unintended consequences for European firms that depend on imports from the US.
France, which is part of the European Union (EU) has been hit with a reciprocal 20% tariff on its goods entering the US, with US President Donald Trump claiming the EU is "ripping America off" by charging a 39% levy on US products entering its market.
Both Airbus and engine manufacturer Safran told Airline Economics they are assessing the impact of the latest tariff announcements from the Trump administration and are currently reviewing their potential implications that these tariffs may have.
The aerospace sector ranks as France’s second-largest export industry, trailing only agri-food products.
In response to these measures by US, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen called the universal tariffs a “major blow to the world economy”.
She stated on April 3, 2025, that the EU is finalising a first package of countermeasures and preparing for further retaliatory steps if negotiations with the US fail.