United States President Donald Trump announced plans to impose a significant tariff on Canada in the midst of a trade dispute. Trump took to Truth Social on January 29th to declare a 50% tariff on all aircraft sales to the US from Canada, citing Canada’s refusal to certify multiple Gulfstream jets as the reason.
This tariff threat follows an earlier warning over the weekend regarding a potential 100% tariff on Canadian imports if Canada proceeded with a trade agreement with China. Trump’s Truth Social post accused Canada of unjustly and unlawfully withholding certification for Gulfstream aircraft models, including the 500, 600, 700, and 800 series.
Furthermore, Trump asserted that the US would decertify Canada’s Bombardier Global Express aircraft until Canadian authorities certified America’s Gulfstream aircraft. He alleged that Canada was hindering Gulfstream product sales in the country through the same certification process.
In his statement, Trump emphasized that unless Canada rectified the situation promptly, a 50% tariff would be imposed on all aircraft sold to the United States from Canada. This move marks a departure from the standard practice, as historically, aircraft certification decisions have been made by aviation safety experts at the Federal Aviation Administration.
Richard Aboulafia, managing director of AeroDynamic Advisory, criticized the use of aircraft safety as a bargaining tool in a trade dispute, calling it a misguided strategy. This escalation in tensions is part of an ongoing conflict between Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
