Trump Threatens 50% Tariff and Decertification on Canadian Aircraft Over Gulfstream Dispute

Introduction

On Thursday, January 29, 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued a significant threat against Canada's aerospace industry, proposing a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft entering the United States and the decertification of Bombardier Global Express business jets. The declaration, made on his social media platform Truth Social, accused Canada of hindering the certification process for U.S.-made Gulfstream jets. This development marks a new escalation in trade tensions between the two neighboring countries.

Allegations of Certification Blockage

President Trump's threats are rooted in his assertion that Canada has 'wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused' to certify several models of Gulfstream jets, specifically the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800. He claimed that Canada's certification process effectively prohibits the sale of Gulfstream products within the Canadian market, thereby disadvantaging a 'Great American Company.' The former President stated that the decertification of Canadian aircraft, including those from Bombardier, would remain in effect 'until such time as Gulfstream... is fully certified, as it should have been many years ago.'

Implications for the Aerospace Industry

The proposed decertification, if implemented, would mean that affected Canadian aircraft would not be approved to fly within U.S. controlled airspace. However, aviation experts have raised questions regarding the authority to arbitrarily decertify aircraft for economic rather than safety reasons, as aircraft certification is typically handled by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). A White House official clarified that the threats would apply only to new aircraft, not those already in operation. The potential tariffs and decertification could have a significant impact on the North American aerospace sector, given that thousands of Canadian-built private and civilian jets operate in the U.S. daily.

Responses from Canada and Bombardier

In response to Trump's statements, Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier issued a statement acknowledging the social media post and confirming it was in contact with the Canadian government. Bombardier emphasized that its aircraft, facilities, and technicians are fully certified to FAA standards and that the company is actively expanding its U.S. operations. The company expressed hope for a swift resolution to 'avoid a significant impact to air traffic and the flying public.' The Canadian government also addressed the issue. Transport Canada officials are reportedly in communication with their U.S. counterparts, with the government 'actively working on this situation.' Canadian Transport Minister Stephen MacKinnon affirmed the safety and reliability of Canada's aviation industry. Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly indicated that the certification process for Gulfstream jets was 'well underway' and stressed that such processes are not politicized.

Broader Trade Context

This is not the first instance of trade friction involving Donald Trump and Bombardier. During his first term, the U.S. Commerce Department imposed tariffs on Bombardier's CSeries commercial passenger jet, accusing the company of selling planes below cost due to unfair government subsidies. While the U.S. International Trade Commission later ruled that Bombardier did not injure U.S. industry in that case, the current threats underscore ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada.