After making snide comments to the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Davos, it looks like President Donald Trump is escalating his rhetoric by making tariff threats against Canda. Reportedly,
Trump said on Thursday the U.S. was decertifying Bombardier Global Express business jets and threatened 50% import tariffs on all aircraft made in Canada until the country’s regulator certified a number of planes produced by U.S. rival Gulfstream.
“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,” Trump said of the Gulfstream certification process in a post on Truth Social.
His declaration came amid broader tensions between the neighboring countries after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, citing U.S. trade policy, last week urged nations to accept the end of the rules-based global order that Washington had once championed.
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“Mixing safety issues with politics and grievances is an incredibly bad idea,” said Richard Aboulafia, managing director of U.S. aerospace management consulting firm AeroDynamic Advisory.
According to Trump, the lack of Canadian certification for Gulfstream aircraft puts American manufacturers at an unfair disadvantage, prompting the U.S. to consider countermeasures.
The proposed actions would represent a significant escalation in trade tensions between the two countries, particularly within the highly regulated aerospace sector, where certification decisions are typically handled by independent aviation authorities rather than political leaders.
Montreal-based Bombardier said it had taken note of Trump’s post on social media and was in contact with the Canadian government. “We hope this is quickly resolved to avoid a significant impact to air traffic and the flying public,” it said.
The situation highlights how quickly political rhetoric can spill into highly technical and regulated industries, creating uncertainty far beyond diplomatic circles. Aviation, in particular, depends on consistent international cooperation, standardized safety frameworks, and regulatory independence to function smoothly.
When these systems are drawn into political disputes, the ripple effects may extend across manufacturers, operators, regulators, and passengers worldwide.
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The episode also underscores the fragility of trade relationships between closely linked economies. The aerospace sector relies on deeply integrated cross-border supply chains, long development timelines, and mutual recognition of regulatory standards.
Disruptions or threats within this framework risk increasing costs, delaying deliveries, and undermining confidence among customers and investors. Even the perception of instability can influence purchasing decisions and long-term planning in an industry where predictability is critical.
The dispute reflects a shift toward transactional and confrontational approaches in international economic relations. Using tariffs or regulatory pressure as leverage may yield short-term political gains, but it carries the risk of long-lasting consequences for trust and cooperation. Experts warn that politicizing safety or certification processes could erode the credibility of regulatory institutions that are designed to operate independently of political influence.
The outcome will depend on whether cooler heads prevail and whether technical and diplomatic channels are allowed to resolve the disagreement. A swift de-escalation would help preserve stability in a sector where safety, cooperation, and long-term certainty remain paramount.