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US President Donald Trump announced plans to withdraw certification for aircraft manufactured in Canada and warned he could impose a 50% tariff on those planes unless American-built Gulfstream jets receive approval to operate in the Canadian market.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the move would include Bombardier’s Global Express business jets and potentially all Canadian-produced aircraft. He accused Canada of blocking Gulfstream sales through what he described as restrictive certification practices.
“If this situation is not fixed immediately, Canada will face a 50% tariff on every aircraft sold into the United States,” Trump wrote.
The remarks mark another flashpoint in growing trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa since Trump returned to office. Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called on Trump to respect Canada’s sovereignty, while Trump has also threatened steep tariffs over Canada’s trade ties with China.
However, questions remain about whether Trump has the authority to revoke aircraft certifications. No executive order has been issued, and aviation approvals in the US are traditionally handled by the Federal Aviation Administration, not the president. Industry analysts noted that aircraft safety decisions have never before been used as a bargaining tool in trade disputes.
Bombardier responded by highlighting its significant footprint in the United States, including thousands of American employees and suppliers, and warned that disrupting certification could affect air traffic and private aviation operations.
Trump did not specify whether his proposal would impact existing aircraft already in service or only new planes awaiting certification. An industry source indicated that any potential action is widely expected to apply only to newly built private jets, not older aircraft already flying.
