Donald Trump Decertifies Canadian Aircraft, Threatens 50% Tariff
Donald Trump decertified Bombardier Global Express jets and warned of a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft unless Canada certifies Gulfstream models.
Overview
President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social decertifying Bombardier Global Express business jets and threatening a 50% tariff on any aircraft made in Canada, saying Ottawa refused to certify Gulfstream 500, 600, 700 and 800 models.
The move targets aircraft certification, a regulatory step Trump says Canada is using to block U.S.-made Gulfstream jets, and could affect air traffic because Flightradar24 reported more than 400 Canadian-made aircraft were operating to and from U.S. airports.
Bombardier said it had "taken note" of Trump’s post and was in contact with the Canadian government, while spokespeople for Canada's transport minister did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cirium data show 150 Bombardier Global Express aircraft are registered in the United States and operated by 115 different operators, and Bombardier said it employs about 3,000 people at nine U.S. facilities.
It was not immediately clear how a presidential decertification would be implemented because aircraft certification authority rests with the Federal Aviation Administration, analysts said, and U.S. trade officials are reviewing potential responses.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story as an escalation of U.S. trade pressure, emphasizing economic harm to Bombardier and the interconnected U.S.-Canada aerospace sector. They employ charged words like "salvo" and "feud," give prominence to U.S. government and industry data, and note limited Canadian responses, reinforcing a narrative of coercive U.S. policy.
Sources (3)
FAQ
Trump accused Canada of wrongfully refusing to certify Gulfstream G500, G600, G700, and G800 jets, claiming it blocks U.S. sales, and retaliated by decertifying Bombardier's jets and threatening a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft.
No, aircraft certification authority rests with the FAA, not the President; experts say decertification for trade reasons is unprecedented and typically requires high-risk safety issues.
Transport Canada has identified issues like fuel lines freezing at low temperatures on G700 and G800 models, requiring fixes before certification; the process is defended as comprehensive and safety-focused.
Cirium data shows 150 Bombardier Global Express aircraft registered in the U.S., with over 400 Canadian-made aircraft operating to/from U.S. airports; broader estimates suggest up to 2,700 Canadian-built planes could be impacted.
History
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