Defense Policy

Lockheed CEO plays down impact of Trump's steel tariff

Defense News: WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin’s chief executive downplayed the impact of wide-ranging global tariffs on steel and aluminum imports into the United States, telling reporters Monday that she was still studying what the decision would mean for the company.

Last week, President Donald Trump announced plans to set a 25 percent tariff on steel imports and a 10 percent tariff on aluminum imports. On Monday, he tweeted that the policy could be reversed for Canadian and Mexican exports if the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, is reworked to be more favorable to the United States.

Hewson said that, at this point, she hadn’t heard any backlash from Lockheed’s international supply chain or customer base. The company, which relies on sales to foreign allies, is wary the issue could jostle those relationships or lead to marketplace retaliation, particularly if Trump forgoes exceptions for certain U.S. allies.

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