Trump threatens to decertify Canadian aircraft, float 50% tariffs in new Canada trade clash

US President Donald Trump threatened on Thursday to decertify Canadian-made aircraft and impose sweeping tariffs on planes sold into the United States, escalating a growing trade and diplomatic dispute with America’s northern neighbour.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Canada had “wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused” to certify several models of business jets made by Gulfstream, prompting him to declare that the United States would decertify Bombardier Global Express aircraft and “all aircraft made in Canada” until Gulfstream jets are approved.

"[W]e are hereby decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified, as it should have been many years ago," Trump wrote.

He also warned of a 50% tariff on any aircraft sold from Canada into the United States if the issue is not “immediately corrected.”

Gulfstream, a US-based manufacturer of high-end business jets, competes directly with Canada’s Bombardier, which produces the Global Express line as well as regional and commercial aircraft.

The threat is the latest episode in a prolonged spat between the United States and Canada since Trump returned to office last year, marked by repeated tariff warnings and sharp rhetoric over trade and sovereignty.

Just hours earlier, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he expects Trump to “respect Canadian sovereignty” following reports that Alberta separatists had met with US officials.

Earlier this week, Trump also warned he could impose a 100% tariff on Canada if it were to strike a trade deal with China.

It remains unclear whether Trump has the legal authority to decertify aircraft.

The White House has not released an executive order or formal directive related to Canadian aircraft or tariffs, and Trump did not specify any mechanism by which the planes would be grounded or barred from US airspace.

Historically, aircraft certification and safety decisions have been handled by aviation regulators, not presidents.

No US president has ever directly decertified aircraft since such determinations are typically made by safety experts at the Federal Aviation Administration.