Aerospace suppliers scramble to cushion blow of looming Trump tariffs
Canadian helicopter parts supplier Optima Aero is already moving inventory south of the border to minimize the risk from potential tariffs proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Optima, headquartered in Quebec, sends about $2 million worth of parts each year to Texas, where its local division provides maintenance services for local law enforcement and U.S. border protection, a priority mission for Trump's administration. "A tariff on Canada would make it tough to keep that business," said Optima President Tony Gault, who estimates 6% of the Montreal-area company's $32 million in annual revenue could be subject to tariffs.