Trump Threatens Bombardier Sales Ban

President says Canadian manufacturer must build aircraft in U.S. to retain access to the American market.

Trump Threatens Bombardier Sales Ban
[Credit: Michael Derrer Fuchs | Shutterstock]
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • Former President Trump stated Bombardier would be barred from selling business jets in the U.S. unless it begins domestic aircraft production, though implementation details were not provided.
  • Bombardier currently has a substantial presence in the U.S., employing about 3,500 people, operating factories and service centers, and collaborating with approximately 2,800 American suppliers.
  • The company plans to continue investing in its U.S. operations and relationships, spending over $2.5 billion annually with American suppliers.
  • This is not Trump's first such threat against Bombardier; similar demands made in the past did not take effect.
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President Donald Trump said Monday that Bombardier would no longer be allowed to sell its business jets in the United States unless the Canadian manufacturer begins producing aircraft in the country. The White House did not immediately explain how such a restriction would be implemented.

U.S. Market

Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, where he criticized Bombardier aircraft and said the company would have to manufacture in the U.S. if it wanted continued access to the market. Bombardier aircraft are certified by the FAA and comply with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.

Bombardier employs about 3,500 people in the U.S. and works with approximately 2,800 American suppliers. The company operates factories and service centers in the country, produces Global 8000 wings in Texas and prepares aircraft for special-mission applications at a Kansas facility. About half of the approximately 5,100 Bombardier aircraft in service worldwide are operated in the U.S.

Bombardier Responds

“Our plan is to continue to invest in our people, our customers and the communities in which we operate across the country,” Bombardier said in a statement to Reuters Monday. The company said it spends more than $2.5 billion annually with U.S. suppliers.

Trump made a similar January threat to decertify Bombardier Global Express aircraft and impose a 50% tariff on Canadian-built airplanes until Canada approved several Gulfstream models. Neither action took effect, although Canada subsequently approved several of the Gulfstream aircraft.

Matt Ryan

Matt is AVweb's lead editor. His eyes have been turned to the sky for as long as he can remember. Now a fixed-wing pilot, instructor and aviation writer, Matt also leads and teaches a high school aviation program in the Dallas area. Beyond his lifelong obsession with aviation, Matt loves to travel and has lived in Greece, Czechia and Germany for studies and for work.
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