Trump Threatens to 'Decertify' and Tariff Canadian Aircraft, Experts Question Authority

President Donald Trump has escalated a trade dispute with Canada, threatening on social media to "decertify" aircraft made in Canada and impose a 50% tariff on all aircraft sold into the United States. The threat specifically targeted jets made by Bombardier, a major Canadian aerospace manufacturer and competitor to U.S.-based Gulfstream.

President Trump justified the move by accusing Canada of wrongfully blocking the certification of Gulfstream jets, effectively prohibiting their sale. This action marks a significant new phase in long-running tensions between the two nations over trade and certification issues, which have simmered since President Trump's re-election. Political friction has increased recently following critical remarks by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the global stage.

The specific threat to "decertify" Canadian-made aircraft for U.S. airspace has raised immediate questions about legal authority and practicality. Aviation regulatory experts have countered that such a unilateral move may exceed presidential powers, as aircraft certification is typically a technical and safety-based process governed by international agreements and the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) established procedures. The situation puts aviation regulators in a difficult position, caught between political pressure and their mandate to uphold safety standards.

If implemented, these measures would have severe consequences. Bombardier, which states its aircraft and facilities are fully certified to FAA standards, warned of a "significant impact on air traffic and the flying public." The threatened tariffs would also affect other manufacturers like De Havilland Canada and Airbus, which have plants in Canada. The escalation risks disrupting the tightly integrated North American aerospace industry and supply chains, adding a new layer of uncertainty to Canada-U.S. relations as a key regional trade agreement faces review.