Trump threatens aircraft tariffs and Canadian plane decertification in Gulfstream dispute

Summary

U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated trade tensions with Canada by threatening to impose 50% tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft and raising the possibility of revoking certification for certain planes, citing delays in Canada’s approval of several Gulfstream business jets. While officials later clarified that aircraft already in operation would not be grounded, the remarks have rattled airlines, aerospace firms and regulators. Experts warn that politicizing aircraft certification could undermine established global safety norms and strain the integrated North American aerospace industry.

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the United States could impose 50% tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft and potentially decertify certain Canadian planes if Transport Canada does not approve certification of several Gulfstream business jet models, according to his comments and U.S. administration officials.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. might take punitive actions if Canada’s aviation regulator did not certify the Gulfstream G500, G600, G700 and G800 jets. He additionally stated that the U.S. was “decertifying” "Bombardier Global Express jets and all aircraft made in Canada,” though U.S. officials subsequently clarified that any decertification would not affect aircraft already in service.

The comments add a new flashpoint to already strained trade relations between the United States and Canada.

Airlines and aerospace industry on edge

A move to decertify Canadian-built aircraft could have widespread consequences for aviation in the United States. According to aviation data provider Cirium, more than 5,400 Canadian-made aircraft are currently registered in the U.S., including regional jets, business jets and helicopters — among them roughly 150 Bombardier Global Express jets.

U.S. carriers such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines operate many Canadian-built aircraft — particularly in regional and specialized roles. Industry executives worry that linking safety certification — intended to be based on technical compliance — to economic or political disputes could erode confidence in the global aviation regulatory framework.

“Mixing safety issues with politics and grievances is an incredibly bad idea,” said Richard Aboulafia, managing director at aerospace consultancy AeroDynamic Advisory.

Legal authority in question

Despite Trump’s remarks, aviation experts say it is unclear whether the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has the legal authority to revoke aircraft certifications for economic or political reasons. Under current international and U.S. regulations, certifications are tied strictly to safety compliance, not trade disputes.

A White House official told Reuters that Trump was not proposing to ground aircraft that are already operating. U.S. airline officials said FAA representatives had made similar assurances in private discussions. The FAA declined to comment publicly.

Gulfstream certification dispute

At the heart of the dispute is the certification status of several new Gulfstream models in Canada. While the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) have approved certain Gulfstream aircraft, Transport Canada — the Canadian regulator responsible for aircraft certification — has not yet completed its review for some models. Transport Canada did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Under international aviation agreements, the country of design — the United States, in Gulfstream’s case — generally conducts the primary safety certification. Other regulators typically validate that approval but can request additional data or delay validation in their jurisdictions.

Impact on Bombardier and North American jobs

Montreal-based Bombardier said it was in contact with Canadian authorities and hoped the dispute could be resolved quickly to avoid disruptions to passengers and air traffic. The company operates several service centers in the U.S. and employs a significant workforce there, in addition to expanding defense-related operations in Wichita, Kansas.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), representing aerospace workers across North America, warned that tariff threats and regulatory uncertainties could disrupt the tightly integrated U.S.–Canada aerospace supply chain and put jobs at risk on both sides of the border.

Industry observers also note ambiguity over how tariffs might apply to aircraft like the Airbus A220, which is partly manufactured in Canada but assembled in Alabama as part of a joint production arrangement.

Why This Matters

• Aviation safety meets trade politics: Aircraft certification has historically been insulated from political disputes to preserve global safety standards. Using it as economic leverage risks undermining the international aviation system that keeps air travel standardized and secure.
• Billions in cross-border trade at stake: The U.S. and Canada operate one of the world’s most integrated aerospace supply chains. Tariffs or regulatory retaliation could disrupt manufacturing, maintenance, and airline operations across North America.
• Airlines face fleet uncertainty: With thousands of Canadian-built aircraft operating in the U.S., even the threat of certification disruption creates financial and operational risk for carriers planning routes, maintenance schedules, and fleet upgrades.
• A precedent for global trade conflicts: If aircraft approvals become bargaining tools in trade disputes, other countries could follow suit — potentially fragmenting global aviation standards and raising costs industry-wide.
• Economic pressure on workers and suppliers: From Bombardier plants in Canada to service centers in the U.S., aerospace jobs on both sides of the border could be affected by prolonged uncertainty or retaliatory trade measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why is Trump threatening tariffs on Canadian aircraft?

He says Canada’s aviation regulator has delayed certification of several Gulfstream business jets, and he is using tariff threats as leverage in that dispute.

Q2. What does “decertification” of aircraft mean?

Aircraft certification confirms that a plane meets safety standards. Revoking it would normally prevent an aircraft type from legally operating, though officials say planes already flying would not be affected.

Q3. Can the FAA revoke certification for trade reasons?

Experts say the FAA’s authority is based on safety, not economic policy, making it legally unclear whether such action could be taken purely over trade disputes.

Q4. How many Canadian-made aircraft operate in the U.S.?

Data from Cirium indicates more than 5,400 Canadian-built aircraft are registered in the U.S., spanning regional jets, business aircraft and helicopters.

Q5. How could this affect U.S. airlines?

Airlines that rely on Canadian-made aircraft could face operational and financial uncertainty if tariffs or regulatory restrictions disrupt fleet planning or maintenance.

Q6. What is the Gulfstream certification issue?

Transport Canada has not yet certified some Gulfstream models, even though U.S. and European regulators have approved certain versions. This delay appears to be the trigger for the dispute.

Q7. Why are aviation experts concerned?

They warn that mixing politics with safety certification could undermine global trust in aviation regulators and destabilize the international system that keeps air travel safe and standardized.