Trump Decertifies Canadian Aircraft, Threatens 50% Tariffs
President Donald Trump has announced his intention to decertify all aircraft manufactured in Canada. He has threatened to impose a steep 50% tariff on these planes until American-made Gulfstream aircraft receive certification in Canada.
Trump Targets Canadian Aircraft
Among the aircraft targeted is the Global Express, a business jet produced by Quebec-based Bombardier. Trump expressed his concerns on Truth Social, asserting that Canada is effectively preventing the sale of Gulfstream products through its certification process. He stated, “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.”
Background of US-Canada Trade Relations
This announcement marks another tense moment in US-Canada trade relations during Trump’s presidency. Earlier on the same day, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the importance of Canadian sovereignty amid reports of Alberta separatists meeting with US officials.
Previous Tariff Threats
Moreover, this is not the first instance of Trump leveraging tariffs against Canada. Just days before, he threatened to impose a 100% tariff if Canada negotiated a trade deal with China.
Legal and Safety Considerations
The legality of Trump’s decision to decertify aircraft remains in question. The White House has not issued an executive order to enforce any tariffs on Canadian aircraft. Traditionally, the certification of aircraft is managed by aviation safety experts at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Potential Impact on the Aviation Industry
Richard Aboulafia, managing director at AeroDynamic Advisory, warned about the implications of using aircraft safety in a trade dispute. He explained that grounding Canadian-made jets could significantly disrupt US airlines and passenger travel. Bombardier’s product line includes regional jets crucial for connecting smaller airports to larger ones.
- Grounding all Canadian-made jets could lead to a transportation disaster, affecting travel schedules across the US.
- Only grounding the Global Express would be less disruptive, but broader actions would cause serious impacts on air travel.
As this situation is evolving, further comments from the FAA are anticipated. Filmogaz.com will continue to provide updates on this developing story.
