In a recent development, U.S. President Donald Trump has raised concerns regarding the economic ties between the U.S. and Canada, specifically focusing on business jets. Trump’s statement on the social media platform Truth Social indicated that the U.S. was planning to decertify Bombardier Global Express business jets. He also threatened to impose a 50 percent import tariff on all aircraft manufactured in Canada until four series models produced by U.S. competitor Gulfstream were certified by the Canadian regulator.
Transport Canada, responsible for Canadian certification, did not provide an immediate response to Reuters regarding the matter. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), a union representing over 600,000 workers in North America, expressed concerns over Trump’s threats, stating that such actions could disrupt the aerospace industry and jeopardize jobs on both sides of the border.
Industry experts, including John Gradek from McGill University, expressed surprise at Trump’s statements and highlighted the potential industry-wide implications. The cost of a business jet can reach up to $80 million, with major carriers like Delta and American Airlines incorporating Bombardier planes in their fleets.
The certification process for aircraft involves the primary regulator in the country where the aircraft is designed, with other nations typically validating this certification. Following the Boeing 737 MAX incidents, some regulators outside the U.S. delayed endorsing American certification decisions, citing safety concerns.
There is uncertainty surrounding how Trump’s declaration to decertify the planes would be implemented, as the responsibility typically lies with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Mixing safety issues with economic motives could pose risks to the aviation system, as stated by industry experts. Bombardier, based in Montreal, acknowledged Trump’s social media post and emphasized its compliance with FAA standards, highlighting the importance of resolving the issue swiftly to avoid disruptions to air traffic.
Gulfstream models, including the G500, G600, G700, and G800, have not yet received full certification from Transport Canada. General Dynamics provided dates of FAA certifications for these models, with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency also certifying the Gulfstream G800 post-FAA approval. Experts praised the Canadian certification process as top-notch and exemplary.