President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened to decertify all aircraft made in Canada because the country has not yet certified certain Gulfstream business jets.
“Based on the fact that Canada has wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused to certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 Jets, one of the greatest, most technologically advanced airplanes ever made, we are hereby decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified, as it should have been many years ago,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media site.
In the same message, the president also threatened to impose a tariff on Canadian aircraft.
“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 wrote. “Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
It is unclear if the president can single-handedly revoke certification for aircraft, as that is handled by the FAA. The agency may not have the legal authority to revoke certification based purely on economic or political reasons, the CBC reported on Friday, since the process hinges on airworthiness and safety.
“We have taken note of the post from the president of the United States to social media and are in contact with the Canadian government,” Bombardier said in a statement late Thursday.
The manufacturer noted that it employs over 3,000 people in the U.S. and supports jobs created by its network of suppliers. It also pointed to plans to expand operations in the U.S., including a new service center in Fort Wayne, Indiana, set to come online in the second half of 2026.
“Thousands of private and civilian jets built in Canada fly in the U.S. every day,” Bombardier said. “We hope this is quickly resolved to avoid a significant impact to air traffic and the flying public.”
Transport Canada, the government department that handles aircraft certification, has not commented on Trump’s post.
