US President Donald Trump said he is decertifying aircraft made in Canada and warned of imposing a 50% tariff on those planes unless US-made Gulfstream jets are approved for sale in Canada. The threat, posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, specifically named Bombardier’s Global Express business jet and extended to what he described as “all aircraft made in Canada.”
Trump argued that Canada’s certification process effectively blocks the sale of American-made aircraft north of the border. He claimed the move was retaliatory and said tariffs would follow immediately if the issue was not resolved. However, no executive order or formal directive has been released, and the White House has not clarified how such decertification would be carried out, according to CNN.
Aviation experts say the move would be unprecedented. Aircraft certification has historically been handled by safety authorities such as the Federal Aviation Administration, not directly by the president. Industry analyst Richard Aboulafia described using aircraft safety certification as a trade weapon as “an incredibly bad idea,” warning it could destabilize the aviation system.
If enforced broadly, the impact could be severe. Canadian manufacturer Bombardier produces CRJ regional jets widely used by US airlines on feeder routes connecting smaller cities to major hubs. According to aviation data firm Cirium, 648 Canadian-built CRJ aircraft currently operate in the United States, flying more than 2,600 routes per day and providing roughly 175,000 passenger seats daily. Regional airlines are the sole source of commercial air service for nearly two-thirds of US airports, meaning widespread groundings could cut off many rural communities.
Industry sources suggested the threat may be aimed primarily at business jets rather than the regional airline fleet, noting that grounding CRJ aircraft would cause major disruptions for US travelers and airlines alike. Aboulafia warned that removing those planes from service would amount to a transportation crisis.
It also remains unclear whether Trump’s remarks apply only to fixed-wing aircraft or also to helicopters. Canada is a significant supplier of civilian helicopters, including medical evacuation aircraft, raising concerns about potential knock-on effects for emergency services.