Airline defies Trump over 300% tariff on trade row jets

THE American airline embroiled in a trade war threatening 14,000 UK jobs is refusing to pay exorbitant tariffs for a new aircraft order, risking the wrath of Donald Trump.

Delta Air Lines has a £3.8billion deal to buy at least 75 C-Series passenger jets – partly built in the UK – from the manufacturer Bombardier.

But US authorities have said they will impose import duties of 300 per cent on the planes after lobbying by Bombardier’s American rival Boeing.

The aircraft are part-built in Northern Ireland, meaning that 4,200 Bombardier jobs in Belfast and another 10,000 in the supply chain could be lost if the order is cancelled.

It is thought Delta could delay delivery until a solution is found, leaving the workforce in limbo.

The company’s chief executive Ed Bastian told investors yesterday he was contemplating ‘ various other plans’ if the planned duties come into force.

He added: ‘ We will not pay those tariffs, and that is very clear. We intend to take the aircraft.’

Describing the decision to impose the duties as ‘nonsensical’, Mr Bastian said: ‘ We’re not going to be forced to pay tariffs or anything of the ilk.’ His determination not to hand over the cash could provoke President Trump, who has made protectionism a cornerstone of his administration.

It is unclear exactly how the business could avoid paying the duties while still accepting the planes and a spokesman declined to elaborate.