Trump Tariffs May Shift Airbus Deliveries Away from U.S., CEO Says

Airbus may prioritize aircraft deliveries to non-U.S. customers if new tariffs imposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump disrupt its U.S. operations, according to CEO Guillaume Faury in a CNBC interview on Thursday.

Trump announced plans to introduce new tariffs within a month, raising concerns across multiple industries, including aerospace and manufacturing.

“If we face significant difficulties delivering to the U.S., we can adapt by bringing forward deliveries to other customers eager to receive aircraft,” Faury stated.

While presenting Airbus’ annual results in Toulouse, Faury noted that the company “should not be directly impacted by tariffs,” as it maintains a strong presence in the U.S. market through manufacturing, assembly, and development operations.

Airbus spends €15 billion ($15.7 billion) annually with over 2,000 U.S. suppliers, making the country its largest single supplier network. The company’s Alabama plant, which employs more than 2,000 workers, assembles A320 and A220 aircraft.

Despite these investments, global supply chain bottlenecks and workforce shortages continue to challenge aerospace production. Airbus has excluded potential tariff impacts from its 2025 financial guidance but remains cautious.

“We have not taken major actions so far… we are in a wait-and-see mode,” Faury told analysts during an earnings call.

If tariffs significantly affect Airbus’ U.S. supply chain, the company may redirect deliveries to non-U.S. markets, adjusting its global production strategy accordingly.