Sweeping duties could complicate American weapons manufacturing and overturn international partnerships, the outlet has said
US President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda could threaten American arms production, and if fully enacted, upend global supply chains, Politico reported on Friday citing defense experts.
On Wednesday, Trump rolled out a broad new slate of tariffs ranging from 10% to 49% on imports from all countries, based on what the US president called the principle of reciprocity. Hailing the move as a declaration of economic independence, Trump cast the tariffs as a step toward rebalancing America’s trade relationships. Economists across the globe have criticized the move.
According to a dozen diplomats, lawmakers, officials, and defense industry analysts interviewed by Politico, Washington’s latest move could prompt already wary US allies to look for alternative partners. Such a shift would deal a blow to the US defense industry – a major global arms supplier.
“There’s going to be shortages of supplies, tit-for-tats, and our allies and other partners are going to retaliate,” Bill Greenwalt, a former Pentagon acquisition official told the outlet. “Some potentially vital supplies are either going to cost a whole heck of a lot more than what they did or they’re just not going to be available.”
The sweeping tariffs, including a 20% levy on imports from the EU and 10% on goods from the UK and Australia, could drive up the cost of American-made weapons and disrupt international partnerships, the outlet said.
Among the programs potentially affected are the F-35 fighter jet, which is a partnership involving 20 nations. Rocket and air defense projects with Norway and Israel could also feel the squeeze.
“We count on the US for the best equipment,” said a European official. “European industrial capacity has greatly improved and we want to be security providers, not just consumers.” This could prompt greater investment in EU manufacturing, the source said, as nations look to reduce their dependence on American components and supplies for key weapons systems.
According to the outlet, a trilateral pact between Australia, the UK, and the US to build nuclear-powered submarines and share advanced technologies could also be at risk if rising parts costs make the project financially unsustainable.
Sen. Mark Kelly, a senior democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, highlighted the complexity of the global defense supply chain, noting that many military products cross international borders multiple times during assembly, potentially racking up tariffs each time.
Business groups are reportedly urging the Trump administration to grant the defense industry a strategic exemption from the new taxes, warning that without it, the Pentagon could face soaring costs and critical supply chain disruptions.
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