Trump threatens to block Bombardier jet sales in U.S.

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to bar Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier from selling jets in the United States, opening a new front in the escalating trade war with Canada just hours before Ottawa's retaliatory tariffs are set to take effect.

"No more selling Bombardier in the United States!" Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social, according to AFP, adding that Bombardier would not be allowed to sell in the country unless it started manufacturing aircraft there. The president also accused Canada of blocking American banks and companies from operating north of the border.nampa+1

A Recurring Aerospace Dispute

The threat is the latest chapter in a months-long fight over aerospace market access between the two countries. In January, Trump threatened to decertify Bombardier Global Express business jets and impose a 50% tariff on all Canadian-made aircraft unless Canada moved to certify Gulfstream General Dynamics Corporation ↘ 2.57% models — the G500, G600, G700 and G800 — for its market. In early September, Trump claimed credit for forcing Canada's hand on Gulfstream certification, saying his tariff threat had resolved a nine-year dispute "in 2 hours".news.meaww+2

Yet the regulatory picture is more complex than Trump has suggested. Transport Canada's records show that Gulfstream models are already part of Canada's aviation regulatory framework, and all four models cited by Trump have received Canadian approval. Monday's broadside, meanwhile, went further than previous threats by declaring that Bombardier should not sell in the U.S. at all unless it builds aircraft domestically — a demand that would upend the company's business model. Bombardier's 2024 financial reporting shows roughly $5.6 billion in U.S. revenue, representing about 64% of its total.businessupturn+1

Tariff War Backdrop

The timing of Trump's remarks is notable. Canada's latest round of retaliatory tariffs — covering $27.6 billion in U.S. imports at rates of 15%, 25% and 50% — is scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on September 8. Ottawa announced the countermeasures in August after Washington imposed 50% duties on a broad range of Canadian goods.reuters+3

The retaliatory tariffs target sectors including steel, aluminum, dairy, appliances, electronics, and agricultural equipment. Canada has framed the response as a dollar-for-dollar match of U.S. tariffs.canada+1

What Comes Next

It remains unclear whether Trump's statement will translate into formal regulatory or trade action. Bloomberg reported Monday that the threat added to an already tense bilateral relationship. North American aerospace manufacturing is deeply integrated, and restrictions on Bombardier could affect U.S. suppliers, operators and aviation-service businesses that depend on the company's aircraft programs. For now, the president's words represent a political threat — not an enacted policy.bloomberg+1