Trump Warns Canadian Aircraft Could Lose US Certification

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that aircraft manufactured in Canada, including Bombardier’s Global Express jets, could lose their certification in the United States unless Canadian authorities approve the certification of Gulfstream aircraft built in the United States, escalating trade and regulatory tensions and prompting an immediate market reaction.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said the United States would move to revoke certification for Canadian-built aircraft until Gulfstream models are approved by Canada. “We are hereby decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all aircraft made in Canada, until Gulfstream, a great American company, is fully certified, as should have happened many years ago,” he wrote.

Trump also threatened a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft sold to the United States if Canada maintains restrictions on Gulfstream sales. “If, for any reason, this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50% tariff on any and all aircraft sold into the United States of America,” he added.

The president accused Canada of refusing to certify Gulfstream aircraft in an “unjustifiable, illegal and persistent” manner, specifically referencing the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 models. Gulfstream is owned by US defense contractor General Dynamics.

The remarks created uncertainty across the aviation sector, particularly in business aviation, and triggered a sharp market reaction. Bombardier shares fell 9% on Friday following Trump’s comments, according to Reuters, as investors assessed the potential impact of certification withdrawals and tariffs on the Canadian aircraft manufacturer’s US market access.

A White House official told Reuters that Trump was not suggesting that Canadian-built aircraft currently in operation would be immediately decertified. Nevertheless, the language caused confusion among airlines, aircraft owners, and aviation analysts, given the scale of Canadian aircraft operating in the United States.

Amanda Applegate, aviation attorney, Soar Aviation Law specializing in US business aviation, said Trump’s post prompted immediate concern among clients. Owners of Bombardier aircraft and prospective buyers sought clarity on whether deliveries or operations could be affected.

Bombardier, headquartered in Quebec, acknowledged Trump’s statement and said it is engaging with Canadian authorities. “We have taken note of the publication and are in contact with the Canadian government. Every day, thousands of private and civil aircraft manufactured in Canada fly in the United States. We hope this is resolved quickly to avoid a significant impact on air traffic and travelers,” the company said.

Industry data underline the potential disruption. According to aviation data provider Cirium, 150 Global Express aircraft are registered in the US, operated by 115 different operators. In total, 5,425 Canadian-manufactured aircraft of various types—including narrow-body jets, regional aircraft, and helicopters—are registered and in service in the United States.

Reuters reported that any move to decertify Canadian aircraft would have broad consequences for US airlines, including American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which rely on Canadian-built aircraft for portions of their regional operations.