President Donald Trump has intensified his trade dispute with Canada, announcing new regulations that will prevent the Canadian jet manufacturer Bombardier from selling aircraft in the United States unless production is moved to U.S. soil. The announcement came via a social media post from the president on Monday.
"No more selling Bombardier in the United States," Trump wrote. "If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a 'piggybank.'"
The move follows the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade negotiations last month, after which the U.S. imposed a 50 percent tariff on over $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. Canada retaliated with matching tariffs on American goods, which went into effect Tuesday morning.
Trump has indicated further tariffs will be implemented on January 1, 2027, suggesting a period for potential renegotiation.
Bombardier stated that it "values its great partnership with American companies and its U.S. employees" and plans to "continue to invest in our people, our customers, and the communities in which we operate across the country."
Approximately 2,188 Bombardier aircraft were registered in the United States as of January, representing about half of the company's global fleet of over 5,100 aircraft.
Congressional Opposition
Some Republican lawmakers have expressed opposition to the White House's targeting of Bombardier. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas contacted the administration to highlight Bombardier's significant contributions to his state and the importance of its presence in Wichita, which employs over 1,000 Kansans. The company has approximately 3,500 American workers nationwide.
"I will continue working to see that Bombardier's manufacturing operations not only remain in Kansas but continue to grow and create American jobs," Moran stated. "Kansas is home to a hardworking, skilled workforce, and I will continue welcoming leaders in aircraft and defense manufacturing to do business here in the Air Capital of the World."
This is not the first time Trump has targeted Bombardier. In January, he previously threatened the company, calling for Canada to drop regulations on U.S. plane manufacturer Gulfstream. Weeks later, Canadian regulators approved Gulfstream's G700 and G800 jets.
In addition to the new tariffs and restrictions on Bombardier, Trump also ordered that Lake Ontario be renamed Lake America on U.S. maps as part of the broader trade dispute.
Bombardier's U.S. headquarters and a major defense and flight test facility are located in Wichita, Kansas.
