U.S. President Donald Trump escalated trade tensions on Thursday by threatening to impose a 50% tariff on all Canadian aircraft sold in the U.S. unless Canada "immediately" certifies Gulfstream business jets manufactured by U.S.-based General Dynamics. The move, announced during a press briefing, targets models such as the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800, which Trump claims have been "wrongfully blocked" by Canadian regulators.
"Canada is playing games with American jobs," Trump stated, emphasizing that the tariffs would take effect within 30 days without compliance. Analysts warn the measure could disrupt cross-border supply chains and inflate costs for airlines, particularly amid rising demand for regional air travel in 2026.
The dispute highlights ongoing friction in U.S.-Canada trade relations, with Ottawa yet to issue an official response. Industry observers note that Gulfstream’s certification delays could stem from technical disagreements rather than protectionism, though political ramifications are likely to dominate discussions ahead of APEC trade talks scheduled for March.
