US senators at airshow to reassure foreign defense contractors, urge tariff-free trade

FARNBOROUGH, England, July 20 (Reuters) - A bipartisan group of nine U.S. senators on Monday sought to reassure defense contractors from American allies that growing demand for their products is real and urged the Trump administration not to impose tariffs on aerospace products.

"Our message is encouragement to them to increase their capabilities to send the message that the demand signal is for real," said Republican Senator Jerry Moran at the Farnborough airshow. "We are doing the things in Congress that suggest that the demand is only going to grow."

Moran added, "We need more demand to meet the demand for protecting our country." He said the event allows lawmakers to have talks especially with the Europeans "to reiterate and recommit ourselves that the United States wants to participate in a global economy and global national security."

Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen said the senators represent a broad swath of the U.S., where aerospace is significant. She noted the U.S. had its biggest presence ever at Farnborough.