Trump threatens to bar Bombardier jets from U.S. market unless they’re built locally

Donald Trump took to his Truth Social feed on Monday with a blunt declaration: “No more selling Bombardier in the United States!” He added that the Canadian planemaker would have to build its jets on American soil if it wanted to keep access to the market that accounts for more than half of its revenue.

The post, all caps and peppered with the usual Trump‑style phrasing, accused Canada of “unjust and unfair” trade practices. He didn’t explain the mechanics of a ban – whether it would come via the FAA, a new tariff, or some other administrative lever – but the message was unmistakable. It arrives just as Ottawa is gearing up to impose retaliatory tariffs on a slate of U.S. goods.

Bombardier fired back with a statement that tried to sound both defensive and conciliatory. The company highlighted that it already employs tens of thousands of workers in the United States and works with roughly 2,800 American suppliers across 47 states. “Our aircraft are assembled with U.S.–made engines, avionics and other key systems,” the statement read, underscoring the firm’s existing American footprint.

In fact, Bombardier has plans to open a new facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana later this year, a move that, in theory, should satisfy Trump’s demand for domestic production. Still, the president’s tweet suggested a broader frustration with what he perceives as Canada using the United States as a “piggybank.”

These latest threats are not the first of their kind. Back in January, Trump warned he would decertify Bombardier aircraft and slap a 50 % tariff on them after Canada allegedly stalled certification for new Gulfstream models. The promised actions never materialised, but the president later claimed Canada rushed the Gulfstream certification because of his pressure.

What makes the current threat murkier is the role of the Federal Aviation Administration. It is the FAA, not the White House, that decides whether a plane is certified to fly in U.S. skies. Bombardier’s current fleet remains FAA‑approved, and the company is still exempt from the 50 % tariffs that were levied on a host of other Canadian products earlier this month.

The broader backdrop is a deteriorating trade relationship. In late August, the United States imposed 50 % tariffs on about $20 billion of Canadian imports, ranging from hockey sticks to cement. Canada responded in kind, announcing duties of 15 % to 50 % on U.S. steel, aluminum, and dairy products, effective early Tuesday. Talks in Washington collapsed after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the U.S. side’s demands were “unacceptable” and that they even threatened French language and Quebec culture.

Both capitals have since exchanged sharp barbs, with little sign of a diplomatic thaw. Whether Trump will follow through on his latest warning about Bombardier remains uncertain, but the episode adds another layer of tension to a trade war that’s already costing both sides billions.