Howmet Aerospace, a key supplier of parts for aircraft built by Airbus and Boeing, indicated on April 4, 2025, that it may halt some shipments if they are impacted by tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump. This stance was communicated in a letter seen by Reuters, where the company effectively declared a 'force majeure event'.
The declaration of 'force majeure' is a legal maneuver allowing Howmet to claim the right to suspend contractual obligations due to unavoidable circumstances, such as new tariffs. This move has intensified discussions within the aerospace industry regarding who will bear the costs of an emerging trade war.
Howmet's position highlights the potential for significant disruption across the aerospace supply chain, which has largely operated under a 1979 treaty on zero-duty trading. The company expects to pass on tariff-related costs to its customers, but the situation remains fluid and introduces economic uncertainty for the industry.
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