The U.S. Department of Commerce (“Commerce”) has initiated an investigation to determine the effects on the national security of imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines. Comments are due by June 3. Commerce has specifically requested comments on the following:
(i) the current and projected demand for commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, in the United States;
(ii) the extent to which domestic production of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, can meet domestic demand;
(iii) the role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting U.S. demand for commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines;
(iv) the concentration of U.S. imports of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, from a small number of suppliers and the associated risks;
(v) the impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices on the competitiveness of the commercial aircraft and jet engine industry, as well as the associated commercial aircraft and jet engine parts industry, in the United States;
(vi) the economic impact of artificially suppressed prices of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, due to foreign unfair trade practices and state-sponsored overproduction;
(vii) the potential for export restrictions by foreign nations, including the ability of foreign nations to weaponize their control over supplies of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines;
(viii) the feasibility of increasing domestic capacity for commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, to reduce import reliance;
(ix) the impact of current trade policies on domestic production of commercial aircraft and jet engines, and parts for commercial aircraft and jet engines, and whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security; and
(x) any other relevant factors.