Tariffs rush some business jet deals, drive aviation cost fears

Tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other countries in retaliation have prompted some business jet buyers to try to rush deliveries or add contract clauses to protect themselves from the duties, as the aviation sector braces for higher costs of planemaking materials, industry experts said. Canada and the European Union hit back on Wednesday with retaliatory duties against the United States after the White House introduced 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum, metals, which are used to make planes. Tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other countries in retaliation have prompted some business jet buyers to try to rush deliveries or add contract clauses to protect themselves from the duties, as the aviation sector braces for higher costs of planemaking materials, industry experts said. Canada and the European Union hit back on Wednesday with retaliatory duties against the United States after the White House introduced 25% tariffs on all imported steel and aluminum, metals, which are used to make planes. Bombardier did not provide guidance this year due to the tariff threat, while some trade groups have flagged concerns that a drawn-out trade war would hit a globally integrated aerospace supply chain. Amanda Applegate, a partner at Soar Aviation Law, said she has seen some buyers of non-American private jets located outside the country add clauses to protect themselves from higher costs if their purchases get hit with tariffs. Others are trying to close deals quickly, before further tariffs hit. One European buyer of a U.S. private jet has been trying to rush a transaction, said Katie DeLuca, a partner at Florida-based law firm Harper Meyer.<br/>