WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A group representing major U.S. and global aeropsace companies on Tuesday warned new tariffs on imported commercial aircraft, jet engines and parts could put air safety and the supply chain at risk or have unintended consequences.

The Commerce Department last month opened a "Section 232" investigation that could be used as a basis for even higher tariffs on imported planes, engines and parts.

The Aerospace Industries Association, which represents Boeing ( BA ), Airbus, RTX, GE Aerospace and hundreds of other companies, urged the Commerce Department to extend public comments by 90 days and impose no new tariffs for at least 180 days. They urged further consultation with industry on "any Section 232 tariffs to ensure they accurately reflect national security concerns and do not put the supply chain and aviation safety at risk."

Airlines and manufacturers have been lobbying President Donald Trump to restore the tariff-free regime under the 1979 Civil Aircraft Agreement, under which the U.S. sector enjoyed a $75 billion annual trade surplus.