United States President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a significant tariff on Canada amid escalating trade tensions. Trump revealed on Truth Social that a 50% tariff would be applied to all aircraft sold to the U.S. from Canada after alleging that Canada had refused to certify multiple Gulfstream jets.
This announcement followed a previous threat to impose a 100% tariff on goods imported from Canada if the country proceeded with a proposed trade agreement with China. Trump claimed that Canada had unjustly denied certification for Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 Jets, leading to the decision to decertify Canada’s Bombardier Global Expresses until Gulfstream jets are fully certified.
Accusing Canada of obstructing Gulfstream product sales through the certification process, Trump warned of the 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft entering the U.S. market if the issue was not promptly resolved. Notably, experts highlighted that the direct decertification of jets by a president, bypassing aviation safety experts at the Federal Aviation Administration, is unprecedented.
Industry consultant Richard Aboulafia criticized the use of aircraft safety as a bargaining tool in a trade dispute, labeling it as a detrimental strategy. This move is the latest development in the ongoing conflict between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.