Arlington, Va. – The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the leading voice for America’s aviation and aerospace manufacturers, today released a new white paper detailing the significant and ongoing benefits of the 1979 Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft for America’s aerospace industry. This landmark agreement has been a cornerstone of America’s dominance in the aerospace sector and reinforced its position as the nation’s top exporting manufacturing industry.
The 1979 agreement, to which 33 countries are signatories, provides for duty-free trade of civil aircraft, engines, flight simulators, and related parts and components. The white paper underscores that, thanks to this agreement, the U.S. aerospace industry boasts the highest trade balance of any manufacturing sector, nearly $75 billion, and the second highest level of exports, exceeding $135 billion. Over the past 45 years, since the agreement was first created, U.S. commercial aerospace exports have surged by more than 2,100 percent.
“American aerospace is the perfect example of a sector where America is dominant in large part because of balanced, reciprocal trade,” AIA Vice President of International Affairs Dak Hardwick said. “The little-known Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft has unlocked enormous benefits for the American workers, the economy, and our ongoing safety and prosperity. As the Trump Administration determines a path forward on tariff policy with partner countries, we urge the administration to reaffirm commitments made in this agreement and work with our industry to further expand America’s leading manufacturing export sector.”
The white paper describes how the aerospace industry aligns with the Trump Administration’s vision for a “production economy” — one that creates high-wage jobs across the country, fosters innovation and technological leadership, and plays a critical role in America’s national security.
The white paper also highlights the agreement’s role in aviation safety by ensuring that foreign partners maintain the gold-standard safety culture expected by the American aerospace industry.
Read the full white paper here.
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