Canadian regulators have approved Gulfstream’s newest business jets following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threat of imposing tariffs on the planes produced in Canada. Transport Canada granted certification for Gulfstream’s G700 and G800 jets, along with two older models, despite concerns raised by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regarding de-icing issues.
Trump had previously warned that he would decertify and impose tariffs on Canadian-manufactured planes unless the four Gulfstream luxury aircraft received approval from the Canadian government. However, Transport Canada’s decision to green-light the jets contradicted the FAA’s conditional certification for the G700 and G800 in 2024, with a requirement for Gulfstream to demonstrate proper functionality under potential ice formation conditions in the fuel system by the end of the year.
The feasibility of Trump’s threat to decertify planes, a responsibility typically under the FAA’s jurisdiction rather than the Oval Office, was questioned by experts. Historically, aircraft groundings by regulators were primarily related to safety concerns, as seen with the Boeing 737 Max 8 following fatal crashes. The aviation industry has been closely monitoring the developments amid escalating trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
Bombardier and Gulfstream, as key competitors in the aircraft manufacturing sector, are currently vying for market dominance. Any adverse impact on Bombardier, a major Canadian aerospace player, could also affect American companies due to their interconnected supply chains. Despite Trump’s emphasis on trade imbalances, the aerospace sector maintains a significant trade surplus with Canada.
Notable Canadian-built aircraft include Bombardier luxury jets, De Havilland Canada Twin Otters, Airbus A220 single-aisle jets, and Bell Textron helicopters, contributing substantially to the aviation industry on both sides of the border. The approval of Gulfstream’s jets by Canadian authorities signifies a pivotal development amid ongoing trade uncertainties.
In a recent social media post, Trump singled out Bombardier in his threat to impose tariffs and disrupt the aviation industry, raising concerns about potential repercussions on the North American aerospace market.
