The markets are not reacting to some mythical “free lunch.” They are reacting to instability. Aviation runs on long-term planning, not political mood swings. Tear up trade without a solid plan, and you do not get strength. You get disruption.
Tariffs do not bring back lost aerospace jobs. They raise the cost of aircraft, parts, and materials. That hits manufacturers, airlines, and right away, the passenger. Higher fares, fewer routes, tighter margins. When reliability drops, the user stops using.
From there, the damage spreads. Airports cut back. Suppliers lose contracts. Shipping slows. Business travel gets more expensive. Emergency services and school transportation pay more. What starts in the hangar ends up in the classroom, the warehouse, and the ambulance bay.
As Gary Cohn put it, “Tariffs are basically a tax on the consumer.” They do not fix the system. They shift the cost to workers, small businesses, and the next generation, who will be flying less and paying more.
Aviation depends on clarity and coordination. Without real strategy, this is not leadership. It is disruption and damage, passed off as policy. Waiting for a reversal.