Trump Warns Of New Tariff
President Donald Trump signaled Thursday that his administration may impose significant tariffs on Canadian-built aircraft following a regulatory dispute involving a major U.S. aviation manufacturer.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Canada recently moved to revoke certification for several aircraft produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, a U.S.-based manufacturer. He argued the decision effectively blocks American-made aircraft from being sold in Canada.
Trump warned that unless the issue is reversed immediately, the United States could respond by imposing a 50 percent tariff on all aircraft imported from Canada.
According to the president, the move would be designed to protect American manufacturers from what he described as unfair regulatory treatment. He also indicated the administration may consider withdrawing U.S. certification for certain Canadian-built aircraft.
Trump specifically cited Bombardier’s Global Express line, a direct competitor to Gulfstream. Bombardier aircraft are currently used by several U.S. carriers, including American Airlines and Delta Air Lines.
Data from global flight-tracking service Flightradar24 showed that more than 400 aircraft manufactured in Canada were operating to or from U.S. airports at the time of Trump’s announcement, underscoring the potential scope of the dispute.
A White House spokesperson later clarified that any potential action would apply only to future aircraft sales. Canadian-made aircraft already operating within U.S. airline fleets would not be affected. Decisions related to aircraft certification fall under the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Canadian officials responded by emphasizing ongoing discussions. In a statement posted Friday, Canada’s Minister of Transport, Steve MacKinnon, said he had spoken with Bombardier’s chief executive and senior leadership at General Dynamics, the parent company of Gulfstream.
MacKinnon said Canadian regulators remain in close contact with U.S. aviation authorities and maintained that Canada’s aviation industry meets established safety and reliability standards.
The aircraft dispute is the latest development in a broader series of trade tensions between the Trump administration and Canada. In recent days, Trump has also raised the possibility of additional tariffs tied to Canada’s trade relationships with China.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed those concerns over the weekend, stating that Canada does not intend to enter into new trade arrangements with China or other non-market economies, while acknowledging ongoing efforts to resolve existing trade issues.
As discussions continue, the situation highlights Trump’s broader approach to trade policy, which emphasizes domestic manufacturing, regulatory fairness, and economic leverage in international negotiations.
