Trump Threatens 50% Tariff, Decertification of Canadian Jets in Trade Escalation

Trade tensions between the United States and Canada escalated sharply after Donald Trump threatened sweeping punitive measures against Canadian aircraft manufacturers. The former US president warned of imposing a 50 per cent tariff on all aircraft sold from Canada into the United States, alongside the possible decertification of Canadian-made jets, unless Ottawa immediately reverses its stance on certifying American business aircraft.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump accused Canadian authorities of deliberately and unlawfully refusing certification for multiple aircraft models produced by Gulfstream Aerospace, a major US-based business jet maker. According to Trump, the refusal directly harms American industry and unfairly restricts Gulfstream’s access to the Canadian market.

Trump specifically cited the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700 and 800 models, describing them as among the most advanced business jets ever manufactured. He alleged that Canada’s certification process was being used as a protectionist tool to shield domestic manufacturers from competition, effectively blocking Gulfstream aircraft sales within the country.

In response, Trump warned that the United States would retaliate by revoking certification for aircraft produced by Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier. This includes Bombardier’s flagship Global Express series, which is widely used in the international business aviation market.

“We are hereby decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream is fully certified,” Trump wrote, framing the move as a direct countermeasure to Canada’s regulatory actions.

The threat marks a significant escalation in the long-running trade and regulatory friction between the two neighbouring countries, both of which host major aircraft manufacturing hubs. Canada remains a key player in global aviation production, while Gulfstream occupies a dominant position in the US business jet sector.

Trump further warned that if the certification dispute is not resolved immediately, the US would impose a blanket 50 per cent tariff on any aircraft sold from Canada into the American market. Such a move could disrupt supply chains, raise costs for buyers, and strain bilateral trade relations in the aerospace sector.

The dispute unfolds amid broader political tensions between Washington and Ottawa. Reports have recently suggested that figures within the Trump camp have engaged with representatives of an Albertan separatist movement advocating independence from Canada. The development has added to diplomatic unease, particularly in light of Trump’s earlier remarks suggesting Canada could one day become the 51st state of the United States.

Responding to the situation, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney reaffirmed Canada’s position, stressing the importance of national sovereignty. He said he expects the US administration to respect Canada’s independence and territorial integrity, noting that the issue has been raised directly in conversations with Trump.

The latest threat also aligns with Trump’s broader use of tariffs as a negotiating tool in global trade disputes. Just a day earlier, he signed an executive order targeting countries involved in the sale or supply of oil to Cuba, reinforcing his hard-line approach to economic pressure.

As uncertainty looms, industry observers warn that any follow-through on the tariff or decertification threats could have far-reaching consequences for North American aviation, cross-border trade, and regulatory cooperation between the two countries.