WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump escalated his trade war with Canada late Thursday, threatening to “decertify” all Canadian-made aircraft and impose a 50% tariff on sales until Canada approves several jets made by American rival Gulfstream.
In a Truth Social post, the President accused the Canadian government of “wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly” refusing to certify the Gulfstream G500, G600, G700, and G800 jets. He claimed this inaction effectively prohibits the sale of these aircraft in Canada, placing the Savannah, Georgia-based company at a competitive disadvantage.
The Retaliation: Decertification and Tariffs
The administration’s retaliatory plan is twofold:
- Decertification: Trump stated the U.S. is “hereby decertifying” Bombardier Global Express jets and “all Aircraft made in Canada” until the U.S. models are fully approved north of the border.
- 50% Tariffs: If the situation is not “immediately corrected,” the President warned of a 50% tariff on any aircraft sold into the United States from Canada.
Within hours, the White House partially rolled back the threat, clarifying that “decertification” would likely not apply to planes already in service, following warnings of mass groundings across the U.S. aviation network.
Critical Missions at Risk
While the dispute focuses on luxury business jets, the Bombardier Global Express platform serves several vital functions beyond corporate travel. The potential grounding of these airframes—or the increased cost of parts—could significantly impact the following sectors:
- Defense and National Security: The U.S. Air Force operates a fleet of modified Global Express jets known as the E-11A (BACN). These aircraft act as “Wi-Fi in the sky,” providing critical communications relay for ground troops; one is currently deployed to the Middle East.
- Emergency Services: Global Express aircraft are used for high-altitude aerial supervision and reconnaissance during major wildfires, serving as “lead planes” for air tankers.
- Expedited Logistics: High-value freight and time-sensitive organ transport for medical evacuations rely on the long-range and high-speed capabilities of the Global series.
- Regional Connectivity: Several U.S. airlines, including Delta and American, utilize the Canadian-made Bombardier CRJ regional jets, which could be caught in the broader “all aircraft” decertification threat.
Industry and Diplomatic Fallout
Bombardier, which employs over 3,000 people across nine U.S. facilities, expressed hope for a quick resolution to avoid a “significant impact to air traffic and the flying public”. Aviation experts have questioned the President’s authority to arbitrarily decertify aircraft for trade reasons rather than safety concerns.
The move expands a growing rift between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who recently clashed over Canadian trade ties with China.
