President Donald Trump has signed two proclamations that will impose tariffs on drones and direct the Navy to revert to older technology for aircraft carriers, while also allowing American warships to be built in foreign shipyards on a limited basis.
One memorandum instructs Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to replace the Advanced Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch Systems and the Advanced Weapons Elevators with traditional steam and hydraulic systems on aircraft carriers. Trump has previously voiced his preference for steam catapults over electric ones, citing complexity and cost.
The memo also calls for the establishment of a fifth Naval shipyard. Furthermore, it permits foreign shipbuilders to construct American warships. According to a White House fact sheet, this provision allows foreign shipbuilders who make substantial investments in American shipyards and train U.S. workers to temporarily build up to two ships in their parent shipyards for quick delivery to bridge gaps. Additional ships will be built in revitalized American shipyards.
In a separate proclamation, Trump is implementing ad valorem tariffs on drones and drone parts, citing national security concerns. These tariffs are set to take effect 21 days after signing. Tariffs on drone components deemed "not particularly sensitive" will go into effect 180 days after signing.
The White House fact sheet detailed that the tariffs include a 100% tariff on "particularly sensitive" drones and a 25% tariff on smaller drones with less pressing security concerns. Additionally, a 15% tariff will be placed on drones and components originating from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan. Some drones from the United Kingdom will face a 10% tariff.