Delta Air Lines Defers Tariffed Airbus Plane Deliveries

Delta Air Lines has taken a Strong Stance against Trump's (R) Tariffs on Aircraft inports. During Delta's Quarterly Earnings Call on April 9th, 2025, CEO Ed Bastian said the Airline will Not Pay Tariffs on any upcoming Airbus Deliveries. Instead, Delta will Delay those Deliveries if Tariffs are Added.

Delta is One of Airbus's Biggest Customers in the U.S., with Dozens of Planes Scheduled for Delivery in 2025. These include A220s, A330-900neos, and A350-1000s. New Trade Rules from the White House, could make those Planes to Expensive. Even though Trump (R) has since Reduced the Tariff from 20% to 10% for 90 days, Delta says it still Won't Pay. With the U.S. Changing its Trade Policies, Delta's Long-Term Fleet Plans are now in Question.

Even with Trump's 90-day Reduction to a 10% Tariff, Delta isn't backing down. In the Call, Bastian said adding any Tariff makes New Aircraft too Expensive, and the Carrier "will not be paying tariffs on any aircraft deliveries" they take. "We will defer any deliveries that have a tariff on it." Delta's Decision could Delay several important Aircraft Deliveries. Airbus Opened its A220 Production Facility in Mobile, Alabama. However, many other types of Aircraft come from Outside the Country, which could still make them Subject to Tariffs. The A330 and A350 are Assembled outside of U.S. and are more likely to be Affected.

For now, Delta says it will Work with Airbus to Manage the situation, and Bastian said that He was hopeful the Issue will be Resolved through Trade Discussions. But the Airline has already Pulled its Financial Forecast for 2025, saying it needs to Wait and See how things play out with the Economy and Trade Policy.

Delta's Decision comes at a Pivotal time for the Global Aviation Sector, which is still Recovering from Supply Chain Issues and demand Shocks. According to Delta's recent 10-Q Filing, the Carrier currently holds Purchase Commitments for 285 Aircraft as of March 2025, including:

- A220-300: 69
- A321neo: 82
- A330-900neo: 6
- A350-900: 8
- A350-1000s: 20
- B737-10: 100

Aviation Caught In the Trade Crossfire: In March, Airbus' Faury stated that the Sector must "wait and see what tariffs, when Stabilized, will really look like" because U.S. Duties would largely affect U.S. Customers and Businesses rather than those in Europe or elsewhere. Airbus Deliveries, many of which are already Months behind Schedule, due to Labor and Parts Shortages, now face added Uncertainty.

Faury also Warned that if Tariffs disrupt Imports, the Manufacturer may Prioritize Deliveries to Non-US Clients. He said in an Interview, that the Company has "a large demand from the rest of the world, so [if] we face very significant difficulties to deliver to the US, we can also adapt by bringing forward deliveries to other customers which are very eager to get planes."

From Consumer Electronics to Car Production, Trump's Broad Tariffs have had a Significant Impact on a Number of Industries. Aircraft and Parts have become Collateral Damage in the growing Trade War, even though Aviation hasn't been Specifically Targeted. AerCap, the Largest Aircraft Leasing Company in the world, also Warned that the Tariffs may Increase Boeing's Price by a Ssignificant Percentage, and Airbus could End-Up with 75%-80% of Global Markets, "because no one can afford to pay those numbers."










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Sent U.S. Destroyer to Secure Southern Border

The USS Stockdale will Deploy to the Southern Border between the U.S. and Mexico, to support Border Security Objectives, Replacing the USS Spruance, after only a few weeks. Trump (R) has made Security along the Southern Border a Priority for His Second Administration, forming a Two pronged approach to National Security alongside His Mass Deportations. Trump issued an Executive Order and National Security Declaration to focus on the Southern Border Defense.

The Deployment of Guided-Missile Destroyers to Assist in these efforts, mark an Unprecedented concentration of Naval Assets for Border Security Operations. The U.S. Coast Guard has recently announced the Interception of some $141 million in Illicit Drugs Smuggled by Sea. as Maritime Routes prove increasingly attractive Alternatives for Smuggling. The Maritime Law Enforcement Agency (Coast Guard) also Arrested 17 Suspected Traffickers as part of these Operations.

The Navy had Deployed the Spruance in Mid-March to Assist the USS Gravely, each carrying Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) Teams to Assist with Missions. However, it returned to Naval Base San Diego on April 10th. Now, the Arleigh Burke-Class Guided-Missile Destroyer Stockdale has Departed from Naval Base San Diego, and will take over from the Spruance. This follows a Seven-Month Independent Deployment to the U.S. 3rd, 5th, and 7th, Fleet areas of Operations.

In a Press Release, the Navy touted the Stockdale's Role in helping Repel multiple Houthi Attacks during Transits of the Bab el-Mandeb Straight and Escort Operations of U.S.-flagged Vessels in the Gulf of Aden. This included Shooting Down Uncrewed Aerial-Ship Cruise Missiles, during which the Stockdale emerged Unscathed. Previous Navy-Coast Guard Collaborations have yielded Significant results, with Joint Operations Preventing nearly 15 tons of Cocaine from entering the U.S. last year alone. Criminal Organizations increasingly use Sophisticated Vessels, including Remote-Oerated Submersibles, to Smuggle Drugs into the Country.

U.S. Fleet Forces Command (USFFC) reported that the Stockdale will "respond to national priorities and a Presidential declaration emphasizing the military's role in securing U.S. borders." The U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) said this Deployment continues the Force's Commitment to "support critical Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Capabilities Gaps," to which the Stockdale would prove a "Vital" contribution.

Trump in a Memo issued on Friday wrote: "Our southern border is under attack from a variety of threats. The complexity of the current situation requires that our military take a more direct role in securing our southern border than in the recent past." Pentagon Chief Spokesman Sean Parnell (R) last month said: "It's not only vital for the United States to have control of our border via land. It's equally important to control our territorial waters, and this deployment directly supports U.S. Northern Command's mission to protect our sovereignty."










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Ontario Surprise Energy Surcharge on U.S.

On March 10th, Premier Doug Ford introduced a 25% Surcharge on Electricity that Ontario sends to the U.S. The Reason behind this Decision, was a Trade Dispute between Canada and the U.S. Trump (R) had placed Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum. In response, Ontario decided to take Action by Charging more for the Hydro-Electricity it Sells to American States. On that day, Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) sent about 26,000 Megawatt Hours of Electricity to the U.S. This is enough to Power around 1.5 million Homes in Three American States (Michigan, Minnesota, and New York). With the 25% surcharge in place, the province collected approximately $260,000 in just One day.

The Ford Government said this was a Temporary move aimed at sending a Strong Message to the U.S. Administration. Energy Minister Stephen Lecce explained that the Goal was to Protect Ontario’s Workers, families, and Local Businesses, from what they saw as Unfair Treatment by the U.S. The Electricity Surcharge didn’t go Unnoticed in Washington. Trump responded quickly, threatening to Double the U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Steel and Aluminum. Originally set at 25%, Trump proposed raising the Tariffs to 50%, in Reaction to Ontario’s New Electricity Charge.

This Sharp reaction created a Tense moment in the Trade Relationship between the Two Countries. However, things began to calm down after a Key Invitation was sent from the U.S. side. Premier Ford and many Federal Canadian Ministers were Invited to Washington, D.C., for Discussions by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (R).

The U.S. would Maintain the First 25% Tax on Canadian Steel and Aluminum, it was announced after the Washington Conference. As part of the talks, Ontario agreed to Suspend the Electricity Surcharge. So, while the Charge was only in place for One day, it created a Ripple effect in International Trade Talks. According to Lecce’s Office, the Quick Action taken by Ontario helped show the U.S. that the Province was serious about Standing Up for its Interests. Lecce called it a “Swift Action” taken to Defend Canadian Jobs and Families, and said that the Surcharge was a Message that Ontario wouldn’t be Pushed around.

When the Ontario Government First announced the Electricity Surcharge, it said any Money collected would be used to support Workers, Families, and Businesses Affected by the U.S. Tariffs. But now that the One Day Surcharge has brought in $260,000, the Public is wondering exactly where thatMmoney will be spent. So far, the Government hasn’t given any Details. Lecce’s Office declined to say what Specific Programs or Areas would benefit from the Collected Funds. The only Statement provided was a Repeat of the Original Promise, that the Money would go toward Helping Ontario Residents Deal with the Effects of American Tariffs.

The Government had previously estimated that the Surcharge would bring in between $300,000 to $400,000, if it remained in effect Daily. Since it was Only active for One day, the Final figure came out to around $260,000. Even though it was a Short-Lived Policy, the One-Day Electricity Surcharge created a Big Wave. It led to a Strong Reaction from the White House, a High-Level Meeting in Washington, and finally a Decision to pause the Policy after just 24 hours.

Ontario’s move to introduce a Surcharge on Electricity Exports, was meant to be a Symbol of Resistance against what it called “unjustified tariffs.” Whether or Not it Changed the Bigger Picture of Trade between Canada and the U.S., the One-Day Charge left a Clear Financial footprint, and a Political One.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

U.S. No Longer Chair of NATO Group

The U.S. will No longer Chair the Group of Key Ukraine Allies, known as the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), leaving it Permanently up to Europeans from now on, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans saids. “The chairmanship has been taken over by Germany and the UK,” Minister Brekelmans said.

"I think that it's good that it has been now taken over, that we are meeting on a regular basis. The U.S. can still Participating," He said. “I think it's very important that we all decided to continue the UDCG, a Corporation of 57 Countries to support Ukraine."

The UDCG, also known as the Ramstein Group, all 32 Member States of NATO, 25 other Countries, and the European Union, providing Military Equipment to Ukraine, since the Full-Scale Invasion. It’s a Role once Exclusively held by the U.S. under former Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin but successor Pete Hegseth (R) has Never Chaired it. Since then, the UK and Germany have stepped into the breach, but it hadn’t been clear whether this was a Temporary Measure until now.

Western Sources initially said the UK and German Joint-Chair, was a Stopgap while the Trump (R) Administration and New Team became Fully acquainted with the Files. The move comes amid a Series of other Signals by the Trump Administration that the U.S. Role in NATO is Diminishing. Western Allies are also bracing themselves for the potential Withdrawal of thousands of Troops from Europe. Currently, the U.S. has 100,000 Troops Stationed across mainly Central Europe.

The "Coalition of the Willing" plans now "Well Developed" but Timeline, Numbers still to be Worked-Out. Brekelmans says: "if such an Announcement is forthcoming, that He hoped the U.S. would do so as part of a Negotiated Process, keeping Allies abreast of the Plans. If the United States, over time, decides to reallocate some of its resources to their own region—for homeland defence—or to the Indo-Pacific or anywhere else, I think the most important thing is that we do this together. We need a shared plan where they can shift some resources, and we, as European countries, can gradually take over. But we need to keep the United States on board. They will remain essential to our security. It’s also in the interest of the United States to keep NATO strong, and that’s what they always state," Brekelmans said.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

U.S. Sends F-16 Jets to Taiwan and Philippines

Tensions between China and the U.S. have risen again, after Taiwan received its First F-16 Jet from the U.S. This jJt is part of a Major Defense Deal aimed at Strengthening Taiwan’s Air Force. The Delivery took place in South Carolina, where the Aircraft was shown to the Public before being Handed-Over.

Taiwan will receive a Total of 66 Jets by the end of 2026. These Jets are part of a Massive NT263.43 billion (about U.S. $8 billion) Arms Ddeal, which includes Upgrades to Taiwan’s Air Defense systems. Taiwan’s Defense Authorities said the Purchase is meant to Counter Growing Military Threats and Ensure the Safety of its People. The Country aims to Modernize its Air Force to keep pace with Fast-Changing Regional Security Challenges. This Jet Delivery has Not gone Unnoticed by China, which considers Taiwan a Breakaway Province. The Chinese Government Strongly Disagreed with the Arms Sale, calling it Unfair and Against Past Agreements made between the U.S. and China.

China Responded with Anger, Criticizing the U.S. for what it described as a “Double-Standard” Approach. According to Beijing, the Sale of Advanced Fighter Jets to Taiwan, Breaks previous Understandings between the Two Countries. China Argued that the U.S. says One thing in Agreements but does Another in Practice. Officials in Beijing Stressed that the Sale of F-16 Jets will Not Stop their Long-Term goal regarding Taiwan. They claimed that this move would not change the military balance in the Taiwan Strait, which separates China from TaiwaG. China remains Firm in its belief that Taiwan should be Reunited with the Mainland.

Beijing also voiced Concern about U.S. Military Support in other parts of Asia, not just Taiwan. China pointed to the US approval of another sale of F-16 jets to the Philippines. Manila has been cleared to Purchase 16 Fighter Jets and Four Trainer Versions with Two Seats. This Deal comes as the Philippines seeks to Improve its Own Air Defenses in the face of Regional Tensions. China’s Veiled Warning to U.S.; WZ-9 Drone Could Detect F-35 and B-21.

China Argued that these Arms Sales increase Military Activities in the Region and Contribute to Instability. It Accused the U.S. of Interfering in Regional Matters and Threatening China’s National Sovereignty. The Delivery of the F-16 Jet to Taiwan, is just One part of a Bigger Picture in the Indo-Pacific Region. The U.S. has been Increasing its Partnerships with Countries in Asia, including the Philippines and Taiwan. Washington says this is part of its effort to Support Allies, keep Trade Routes Safe, and maintain Peace.

The U.S. State Department stated that it is Standing Firmly with its Partners in the Indo-Pacific. According to their Statement, the U.S. is taking Action to respond Threats, Build Stronger Economies, and Promote Shared Interests with Countries in the Region. Taiwan and the Philippines have both expressed Interest in Improving their Defense Systems, and the U.S. has Approved their Requests for New F-16 Jets. These Jets are designed to Help Protect their Airspace and Respond Quickly to Possible Dangers.

China sees these Moves as Direct Threats to its Influence and Territory. It believes the U.S. is stirring up Trouble and Challenging its Authority in the Region, especially in Sensitive areas like the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

While Taiwan is set to Receive more F-16 Jets over the next Two years, the Philippines is also preparing for its Own Delivery. The situation continues to attract attention from many Countries, as these moves affect the Balance-of-Power in Asia.

At the same time, Countries involved are focusing on Strengthening their Military Capabilities, especially in the Air. Fighter Jets like the F-16 are a key part of Modern Defense systems, providing both Speed and Power in the Skies. The U.S. remains a Major Supplier of Defense Equipment to its Partners in Asia. With growing concerns over Security and Territory, the Sale of these Jets has become more than just a Business Deal. It now Represents a Larger Struggle between Military Strategies and Political Goals in the Region.










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Russia’s Economy Suffers Worst Drop Since 2009

New Data reveals a Troubling Economic Trend for Russia, as Foreign Investments Collapse and Oil Prices Drop sharply. The recent Drop in Global Oil Prices has Hit Russia Hard, adding Pressure to an already Strained Economy. Earlier this week, Reports emerged that the Kremlin is considering Re-Allowing Western Investment, a move that raised Eyebrows.

New Figures may explain the Shift: Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Russia, has Dropped 57% since the Start of the Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine. FDI has Fallen from $497.7 billion to just $216 billion, the Lowest level since 2009.

Russia Lost $138 billion in FDI in 2022, followed by another $80 billion in 2023, and $63 billion more in 2024, totaling a $281 billion Loss in just Three years. “This suggests the Russian economy is becoming increasingly isolated,” said Janis Kluge, a Researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Meanwhile, Fighting continues on the Front Lines. Ukraine’s Allies Reaffirmed their Support, during the Latest Defense Contact Group Meeting on April 11th.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius pledged New Assistance, including:

- 4 IRIS-T air Defense Systems
- 33 Missiles
- 120 Man-Portable Air Defense Systems
- 25 Marder IFVs
- 15 Leopard Tanks
- 14 Artillery Systems
- And other Military Equipment










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker

Trump Plan to Change How to Fight Wildfires

Trump (R) is considering a Plan to Overhaul how the Nation Fights Wildfires, by Creating a New Federal Agency that Prioritizes Putting-Out Fires as Quickly as possible, Challenging the idea that the Nation’s long-standing Focus on immediately Extinguishing Fires has made the West more Vulnerable to Larger and more Intense Blazes. A Draft Executive Order under consideration by the White House, calls for Restructuring the Nation’s Firefighting system to Focus on the “immediate suppressing of fires,” including responding to Wildfires within 30 minutes, and Changing Aircraft Regulations to Accelerate Response.

Many Firefighters say there is a need to Reform how the Federal Government Combats the growing Threat of Wildfires, fueled by Warming Temperatures. But the Plan has raised Concerns among State and Federal Officials who say such Changes could Erode Safety Standards for Aircraft that fly on Dangerous Missions, including Curtailing some Inspections and Regulations for Planes that do Aerial Supervision of Tankers that Drop Water or Fire Retardant. They also worry the Plan puts too much emphasis on Putting Out every Fire and Not Enough on other Land Management Techniques, such as Prescribed Burning and Forest Thinning, to Reduce the Chances of Destructive Blazes.

"The draft of the Executive Order, dangerously reduces the safety of our Communities and our Firefighters,” said Dave Upthegrove, Commissioner of Washington State’s Department of Natural Resources. “We need to be preparing for the wildfire season that’s one sunny week away, not responding to a poorly written executive order that will put us all at risk.”

One of the Architects of the Plan is U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-MT), according to State and Federal Officials familiar with the Proposal. Sheehy is a former Navy SEAL who found an Aviation Company, Bridger Aerospace, that’s Contracted with the Forest Service and Interior Department to assist in Firefighting. Sheehy stepped down as Chief Executive last year, but still owns Stock of the Publicly Traded Company.

Sheehy’s Office has Discussed the Proposal with State Officials. Some of the Ideas are similar to Legislation Sheehy has Proposed in the Senate, including creating a New National Wildland Firefighting Force. Officials said there are different Versions of the Draft Circulating. Several Current and Former Wildfire Officials, said they were Concerned about Parts of the Draft that focused on Aviation, including an idea in the Proposal to Eliminate Forest Service Inspections of Wildfire Aircraft already Certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Sheehy has been a Proponent of Scrapping Forest Service Requirements, which He considers Redundant. Earlier this month, He said that such Examinations of Aircraft and Pilot Credentials by the Agency “is a relic of a bygone era and has become an unnecessary barrier to asset availability,” according to a Statement His Office said. Such Aircraft Inspections by the Forest Service emerged after Deadly Crashes in the 1960s and 1970s. “New requirements and rules were put in place to help prevent those tragic accidents, and have generally worked well,” said Steve Ellis, Chair of the National Association of Forest Service Retirees. “Eliminating them will put us back in the era of more fatalities.”

A Federal Firefighter with 10 years in Aerial Firefighting said He Feared any Rollback of Safety Protocol could Hurt the Workforce on the Ground. “A lot of that stuff is in place if there is a crash, or someone dies,” said the Firefighter. There have been Bipartisan Congressional efforts to rethink Fire Management as massive blazes have become more common. After Wildfires destroyed swaths of Los Angeles in January, the House of Representatives passed Legislation that aimed at Beefing up Fire Prediction and Suppression Capabilities and Modernizing Building Codes in Risk-Prone areas.

The Senate Version of the Bill, introduced Thursday by Sheehy and Others, was Cheered by California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Chief Joe Tyler. Creating a Federal Agency devoted to Fighting Wildfires is Not a New idea. Advocacy Groups including the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, a Non-Profit that Advocates for Active and Retired Federal Wildland Firefighters, have pushed for this for years. Several Wildfire Officials said they Support the Concept of Consolidation and Reform. They say a New Wildl and Firefighting Agency could streamline operations and improve coordination on a task now spread across several federal agencies including the Forest Service, Interior Department, Bureau of Land Management, and others, Agencies that don’t solely focus on Fire.

One Federal Official said they are Concerned that the Part of the Proposal that Cuts Forest Service Inspections of FAA-Certified Wildfire Aircraft means Aviation companies would Not have “to jump through all the hoops.” “But there’s a reason there’s all those hoops,” the Official said. “And the reason is because we crashed a lot of aircraft.”

Paul Petersen, Executive Director of the United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA), an Industry Group, said He provided Input on Parts of the Order, but that it was “really crafted out of the Senate and the White House.” Petersen, a Former Bureau of Land Management Firefighter, said that “nobody wants to go out and have an aviation accident or crash or be unsafe.” But He noted that some Regulations Unnecessarily keep Aircraft on the Ground when they’re needed to Fight Wildfires. He said it was Important to Accelerate Forest Management, including thinning forests and prescribed burns — but in the meantime “you got to fight the fire you have. The entire wildland fire system needs an overhaul,” He said. “Wildland fire is coming to a community near you, whether you like it or not.”










NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker