U.S. President Donald Trump has raised concerns about the economic ties between the U.S. and Canada, focusing on business jets as the latest point of contention. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump announced the decertification of Bombardier Global Express business jets and threatened a 50% import tariff on all Canadian-made aircraft until four series models from U.S. competitor Gulfstream received certification from Canada’s regulator.
Transport Canada, the authority responsible for Canadian certification, has not yet commented on Trump’s statements. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), representing over 600,000 workers in North America, highlighted the potential negative impact of Trump’s threats on the aerospace industry and jobs on both sides of the border.
John Gradek, an aviation and supply chain management lecturer at McGill University, expressed surprise at Trump’s actions, emphasizing the significant consequences for the industry. Business jets, with price tags reaching up to $80 million, are utilized by major carriers like Delta and American Airlines.
Trump’s declaration on social media regarding the decertification of Canadian aircraft has sparked confusion within the aviation industry and his administration, as it remains unclear how this process would be executed. While the FAA is responsible for aircraft certifications, it is uncertain if they have the authority to decertify planes based on economic reasons rather than safety concerns.
Industry experts and airline officials have cautioned against mixing safety issues with political grievances, emphasizing the potential risks to the aviation system. Bombardier, based in Montreal, acknowledged Trump’s statement and expressed hope for a swift resolution to avoid disruptions in air traffic and for passengers. The company assured that its aircraft meet FAA standards.
There are currently 150 Global Express aircraft in operation in the U.S., along with numerous Canadian-made aircraft servicing the country. Bombardier has a strong presence in the U.S. with service centers and a significant employee base. The FAA recently certified Bombardier’s Global 8000 business jet, known for its high speed.
Regarding Gulfstream jets, Trump criticized Canada for not certifying the G500, G600, G700, and G800 models. While Transport Canada has yet to fully certify these models, the FAA and European Union Aviation Safety Agency have approved some of the Gulfstream aircraft. Industry experts commend Canada’s certification process as top-notch.
Overall, Trump’s trade war moves regarding aircraft certification have raised concerns within the aviation industry, emphasizing the importance of regulatory clarity and cooperation between nations.