The boss of Dassault very worried about his business jets, the customs duties of Trump would close the American market to him

The boss of Dassault Aviation is concerned about the loss of competitiveness that the establishment of customs duties could generate for the business aviation sector in the United States. Therefore, which represents a significant part of the sales of Falcon aircraft.

He is expectant. Meanwhile, concerned: the CEO of Dassault Aviation Éric Trappier said he was worried about the impact that may have the trade war launched by Donald Trump, in the business aviation sector.

“For us it is a concern. Consequently, since any additional taxation of French planes to the United States would be such as in nature, once again, to worsen the competitiveness issues of our planes in the face of American competitors,” said Éric Trappier during the presentation of the half-yearly results.

In the business aviation segment. Therefore, the French manufacturer displays a slightly lower performance compared to last year, having recorded boss dassault very worried about eight orders in the first half, against 11 in 2024.

“There are no doubts. Furthermore, there is an impact on customs duties,” said the boss of Dassault Aviation, who must also manage difficulties related to the supply chain among subcontractors.

The observation is clear: “Competitiveness is in favor of the United States. Furthermore, this competitiveness will still be degraded if we have to absorb customs duties. Our operational margins are 6%. so customs duties, even at 10%, it does not pass, it’s as simple as that,” says Éric Trappier.

The CEO calls for the return of the 1979 agreements. namely an absence of reciprocal taxation for civil aeronautics, a wish shared by the entire sector.

“We do not always agree, but we are all united (on this question),” he said.

The loss of competitiveness in the event of the establishment of customs duties. whether 10, 15 or 30%, would close the boss dassault very worried about American market in Dassault Aviation, while “more than half of the market” of business aviation is done in the United States.

Boss dassault very worried about

Consider all possible scenarios

The aircraft manufacturer indicates working on the different scenarios that could be loomed from August 1. studies all the possible options, without revealing its plans. “We will see what is happening. ” said Éric Trappier, while the European Union could be imposed 15% of customs duties and threatens to put into force a pack of countermeasures if no trade agreement is found with the Trump administration.

Among the options that could be envisaged, installing a production plant in the United States.

“This is the question that everyone is asking, including us,” says Éric Trappier.

Dassault Aviation already has a finishing factory in the United States. in Little Rock (Arkansas), which achieves the interior design of Falcon aircraft (seats, furniture, communication systems, painting, boss dassault very worried about etc.). If the manufacturer was only taxed on the “European” part of the plane – so not the work carried. out at Little Rock – this would still represent an important part of the price of the plane.

“It will still damn increase the costs, and therefore the price of the plane. It will put us in a slightly more difficult position,” fears the boss of Dassault Aviation.

A segment in full transition

The Falcon fleet intended for the business aviation market currently includes four aircraft: the Falcon 900LX. the Falcon 2000lxs, the Falcon 8x and the Falcon 6x, the latest-born of the range, which has performed more than 3,400 hours of flight since its commissioning at the end of 2023. The manufacturer is currently developing a new plane to widen its range. Additionally, the Falcon 10x: “We are in an intermediate phase,” underlines Éric Trappier.