Trump's tariffs threaten US weapons production - Politico
Photo: Donald Trump, 47th President of the United States of America (Getty Images)
The White House's trade war, led by President Donald Trump, may complicate US weapons manufacturing and hinder the country's ability to maintain international partnerships, Politico reports.
The implementation of the tariff program could disrupt the global supply chains that the Pentagon has spent decades building. It would also likely increase the cost of American-made weaponry and complicate international efforts to counter China.
According to a dozen diplomats, lawmakers, officials, and defense industry analysts, Washington's move may push already skeptical partners to seek cooperation elsewhere. This, in turn, would deal a blow to an industry that supplies much of the world's arms and undermine trust in the global defense relationships that have long benefited the United States and its allies.
"We have requirements and we’re going to do what makes sense for us. We're really looking at what we need to develop at home," said an unnamed diplomat from a NATO member country.
Trump frames his tariff plan as a transformational move intended to balance trade and bring back lost revenue to the US. However, Washington now risks undermining its promises to turn the US into an industrial powerhouse and reduce China's influence.
In particular, in the tariff order, the White House stated that the US must manufacture components "without undue reliance on imports for key inputs."
"But that's much easier to write in a document than to do. The Pentagon has spent decades building, funding, and nurturing a global web of suppliers and companies that now face tariffs. With no carve-outs for defense, the administration could undo much of that work while delaying American-made weapons production for the country and other buyers.," Politico adds.
Tariffs could jeopardize successful programs, such as the F-35 fighter jet project - which involves 20 countries in partnership - or missile defense and air defense collaborations with Norway and Israel.
US trade war
On April 2, the US President signed an executive order imposing tariffs on imports from many of America's trading partners. Among the measures, the White House introduced 25% tariffs on all cars assembled outside the United States.
According to Danylo Hetmantsev, Head of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Financial Issues, Tax and Customs Policy, Washington's move may have consequences for Western support of Ukraine.
