U.S. President Donald Trump has raised concerns about the economic relationship between the U.S. and Canada, particularly focusing on business jets. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump announced plans to decertify Bombardier Global Express business jets and impose a 50 percent import tariff on all Canadian-made aircraft until four series models by U.S. competitor Gulfstream are certified by Canada’s aviation regulator.
Transport Canada, responsible for aircraft certification in Canada, has not yet commented on Trump’s statements. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) expressed worries that Trump’s actions could disrupt the aerospace industry and jeopardize jobs on both sides of the border.
Aviation expert John Gradek from McGill University expressed surprise at Trump’s announcement, highlighting the potential impact on the industry. The certification process for aircraft involves the primary regulator in the country of design vouching for safety, with other countries typically validating this decision.
There is uncertainty surrounding how Trump plans to decertify the Canadian aircraft, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Some industry players and even members of Trump’s administration have been puzzled by his social media declarations in the past. Mixing safety issues with political grievances could pose risks to the aviation system, according to industry experts.
Montreal-based Bombardier responded to Trump’s post, emphasizing the importance of resolving the issue swiftly to avoid disruption to air traffic. The company clarified that its aircraft meet FAA standards. Data indicates a significant number of Canadian-built aircraft in the U.S., with Bombardier operating service centers and employing thousands of workers in the U.S.
On the other hand, Trump’s claims about Gulfstream aircraft remain contentious as Transport Canada has yet to fully certify certain models. General Dynamics, Gulfstream’s parent company, provided dates of FAA certifications for the models in question. Gradek praised the Canadian certification process as top-notch and exemplary.