Bombardier Caught in Trump Tariff Threat as Gulfstream Certification Dispute Spills Into U.S.–Canada Trade Fight

Bombardier is suddenly at the center of a new U.S.–Canada flashpoint after President Donald Trump said he would move to “decertify” Bombardier Global Express business jets and threaten steep tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft unless Canada clears several Gulfstream models for operation. The dispute links aviation regulation to trade pressure, widening an already tense period for cross-border commerce.

The announcement landed Thursday, January 29, 2026 ET, and immediately raised questions about what could happen to existing aircraft in service and to future deliveries on both sides of the border.

Trump targets Bombardier Global Express and raises aircraft tariff stakes

In a social media post, Trump said the United States would decertify Bombardier Global Express jets and suggested the action could extend to “all aircraft made in Canada,” while also threatening a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft sold into the U.S. market. The pressure point, Trump argued, is Canada’s refusal to certify multiple Gulfstream business jets for use in Canada.

The potential scope is broad. Hundreds to thousands of Canadian-built aircraft are registered and operated in the United States across commercial and private fleets, and the Bombardier name is intertwined with business aviation as well as regional aircraft that have historically supported airline route networks.

Key terms have not been disclosed publicly, including what legal mechanism the administration believes would allow an immediate “decertification” of aircraft already operating under established approvals.

Gulfstream, Canada, and a bigger Trump–Carney tariff feud

At the center of the dispute are Gulfstream models that Trump said Canada has not yet certified, including the G500, G600, G700, and G800. Canada’s aviation regulator typically handles these approvals through technical reviews that can take time, but the administration framed the delay as an unfair barrier blocking an American manufacturer from the Canadian market.

The aircraft fight is also unfolding against a louder political backdrop between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Carney drew global attention in a Davos speech on January 20, 2026 ET, where he argued that middle powers must guard against economic coercion and warned that the rules-based global order has fractured.

The rhetoric escalated further over the weekend. On January 24, 2026 ET, Trump threatened a 100% tariff on Canadian goods tied to Ottawa’s engagement with China, and the issue has remained in the crosshairs as the two governments trade warnings.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has also publicly urged Carney to avoid provoking a fight ahead of looming trade talks. Further specifics were not immediately available about whether senior U.S. and Canadian officials have scheduled a direct negotiating session specifically focused on the aviation certification dispute.

How aircraft certification usually works, and why “decertification” is unusual

Aviation certification is typically treated as a safety and engineering process, not a trade lever. Regulators issue type certifications and validate approvals so aircraft can be registered and flown in their jurisdictions, relying on technical data, testing, and ongoing airworthiness oversight.

In North America, the U.S. and Canada have long relied on reciprocal frameworks that make it easier to recognize each other’s approvals while still allowing independent checks. In practice, that keeps fleets moving across borders and helps manufacturers avoid duplicating every test in every country.

That is why the threat to withdraw or suspend certification is so disruptive. It is not a routine tool, and it can trigger complex questions about who has authority, what happens to aircraft already in operation, and whether any action would be tied to safety findings or to economic policy. The reason for the change has not been stated publicly in a way that clarifies how safety-based standards would intersect with a tariff dispute.

Who could be hit and what comes next as USMCA review nears

The fallout would touch multiple groups quickly. Business jet owners, charter operators, and corporate flight departments could face uncertainty about registration and operating permissions if cross-border approvals are challenged. Airlines and regional operators that rely on Canadian-built aircraft for short-haul routes could see added compliance and cost risk if tariffs or regulatory disruptions expand beyond business jets.

Manufacturers and workers on both sides of the border also have a stake. Bombardier has U.S. service operations and an American workforce tied to maintenance and support, while Gulfstream’s supply chain depends on steady market access and predictable regulatory timelines. Financial planners, insurers, and lenders that underwrite aircraft purchases could be forced to reassess residual values and delivery assumptions if the dispute persists.

The next major milestone is the scheduled Six-Year Joint Review of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement on July 1, 2026 ET, a formal trade review event that could become a venue for broader bargaining over tariffs and market access. In the nearer term, the most immediate pressure point is whether regulators and trade officials announce a clear path for Gulfstream certification in Canada and for continued acceptance of Canadian-built aircraft in the United States.