Trump threatened to decertify Canadian aircraft and impose a 50% tariff, accusing Canada of unfairly blocking certification of Gulfstream business jets.
Summary:
President Donald Trump accused Canada of unfairly blocking certification of Gulfstream jets.
Trump said the US would decertify Canadian-made aircraft, including Bombardier models, in response.
He threatened a 50% tariff on all aircraft sold into the US from Canada if the issue is not resolved.
The dispute centres on certification approvals rather than safety findings.
The move raises fresh trade and political risk for the North American aerospace sector.
US President Donald Trump escalated trade tensions with Canada after accusing Ottawa of unfairly blocking the certification of US-made Gulfstream business jets, threatening retaliatory measures that could significantly disrupt the North American aircraft market.
In a statement, Trump said Canada had “wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused” to certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700 and 800 aircraft, which he described as among the most advanced business jets ever produced. He argued that Canada’s certification process effectively prohibits the sale of Gulfstream aircraft in the Canadian market, disadvantaging a “great American company.”
In response, Trump said the US would move to decertify Canadian-made aircraft, including Bombardier Global Express jets, until Gulfstream models are fully certified in Canada. He also warned that if the situation is not “immediately corrected,” the US would impose a 50% tariff on all aircraft sold into the United States from Canada.
The dispute centres on regulatory certification rather than safety concerns, but it risks spilling into a broader trade confrontation. Certification approvals are critical for aircraft manufacturers, determining whether planes can be sold, operated, or registered in foreign markets. Any disruption can have major implications for deliveries, order books and long-term customer relationships.
Canada is home to Bombardier, a major global producer of business jets, while Gulfstream Aerospace is one of the US’s flagship aerospace exporters. A tit-for-tat escalation could therefore affect investment, employment and supply chains on both sides of the border.
The comments also revive memories of past US–Canada trade disputes, including tensions over aerospace subsidies and manufacturing competitiveness. While no immediate policy action has yet been announced, Trump’s remarks signal a willingness to use tariffs and regulatory leverage as negotiating tools.
For markets, the episode adds political and trade uncertainty to an already sensitive sector, with aerospace stocks and cross-border investment potentially vulnerable if the dispute hardens into formal trade restrictions.
