Trump threatens tariffs on Canadian aircraft, putting Bombardier in the crosshairs
President Trump warned of decertification and a 50% tariff on Canadian-made jets after a dispute over Gulfstream certifications. Bombardier says its planes meet FAA standards.
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By Torontoer Staff
U.S. President Donald Trump escalated a trade dispute on Thursday by threatening to decertify Canadian-made aircraft in the United States and impose a 50 per cent tariff on planes sold from Canada. His post accused Canadian authorities of "wrongfully" refusing to certify several Gulfstream models, and said the issue would be corrected or U.S. action would follow.
Bombardier responded late Thursday, saying it has seen the president’s post, is in contact with the federal government and that its aircraft, facilities and technicians are fully certified to Federal Aviation Administration standards. The company said it is expanding U.S. operations and hopes for a quick resolution to avoid disruptions to air traffic and passengers.
What the threat would mean
Certification determines whether an aircraft can be sold, registered and flown in a country. A U.S. decertification of Canadian-built planes would block sales and registrations in the U.S., potentially grounding or preventing entry of models that rely on cross-border approval. A 50 per cent tariff on Canadian aircraft would raise prices dramatically for buyers and could disrupt supply chains for operators and manufacturers.
Models involved and industry context
Trump named Gulfstream models he said were not being certified in Canada, including the G500, G600, G700 and G800. Gulfstream’s large-cabin, long-range jets compete directly with Bombardier’s Global series, such as the Global 6500, Global 7500 and Global 8000, which are already certified for operation in both Canada and the U.S.
Bombardier is headquartered in Montreal and assembles business jets at its centre in Mississauga, Ontario. The company employs thousands across Canada and is a significant supplier to both commercial and government operators.
Expert reaction
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration certifies or decertifies aircraft in the U.S. The president does not have the authority to arbitrarily decertify Canadian aircraft, and there are thousands of Canadian-built jets operating in the United States.
Phyl Durdey, aviation expert
Durdey told CTV News Channel that moves against Bombardier could wound U.S. as well as Canadian interests. The U.S. military operates modified Bombardier Global Express jets for specialised missions, illustrating the mutual reliance across the aerospace sector.
What companies are saying
Bombardier’s statement said its products and personnel meet FAA standards and highlighted ongoing investment in U.S. operations. The company urged a swift resolution to prevent significant impacts on air traffic and the flying public.
Our aircraft, facilities and technicians are fully certified to FAA standards and renowned around the world. We hope this is quickly resolved to avoid a significant impact to air traffic and the flying public.
Bombardier
Economic and sector stakes
- High tariffs would raise acquisition costs for corporate and government buyers and could shift orders away from Canadian manufacturers.
- Decertification or regulatory disputes could delay deliveries and affect operators who rely on cross-border maintenance and parts supply.
- U.S. and Canadian aerospace supply chains are closely integrated; disruptions would ripple through suppliers and service providers on both sides of the border.
Analysts say targeted trade measures in aerospace can be politically expedient but carry wide economic consequences because modern aircraft programmes depend on international approvals and component sourcing.
Next steps
At the time of the announcement, Bombardier indicated it was in contact with Canada's federal government. The next phase will likely involve diplomatic and regulatory exchanges between Ottawa and Washington, and possible intervention by the FAA or industry regulators to clarify certification status.
For now, manufacturers, operators and governments are watching for formal regulatory action. Any move by the U.S. would require procedural steps through aviation authorities and could prompt legal and trade responses from Canada.
The dispute could reshape procurement decisions for large-cabin business jets and test the resilience of cross-border aerospace cooperation, with potential implications for jobs and supply chains in Ontario, Quebec and U.S. aerospace hubs.
A resolution will depend on technical certification findings, regulatory processes and political negotiations. In the meantime, companies and regulators will need to manage uncertainty for operators and the travelling public.
BombardiertradeaviationTrumpCanada-US relations
