World
Trump Threatens to Ban Bombardier Jet Sales in US Amid Trade Dispute with Canada
By Today News Hours Editorial Desk
President Donald Trump has threatened to block Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier from selling aircraft in the United States unless the company relocates its manufacturing operations there.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump wrote: "NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES! If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a 'piggybank'."
The threat comes amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and Canada, just hours before Canadian retaliatory tariffs were set to take effect on $20bn (£14.7bn) worth of US goods.
It remains unclear how Trump would attempt to enforce such a ban. Montreal-based Bombardier already operates a factory in Kansas that manufactures special mission military aircraft and employs 3,500 American workers. The company also has sites in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, California, Washington DC and New Jersey. Roughly half of its global fleet—5,100 aircraft—is operated by US-based customers.
In response to Trump's comments, Bombardier issued a statement that did not directly address the threat but emphasized its economic contributions in America. "Our operations create tens of thousands of US jobs through the company's growing American footprint," the statement said. "Bombardier values its great partnership with American companies and its US employees. Our plan is to continue to invest in our people, our customers and the communities in which we operate across the country."
According to the company's website, Bombardier jets are manufactured at facilities in Canada, the US and Mexico, and its operations comply with the North American trade agreement signed during Trump's first term—known as CUSMA in Canada and USMCA in the US.
Bombardier is one of Canada's largest companies, contributing C$7.4bn ($5.4bn; £4bn) to the country's GDP in 2024, according to a company-commissioned report. It is also among the top employers in Quebec's manufacturing sector.
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette responded to the threat on social media platform X, calling Bombardier "a source of pride" for the province and "a flagship of our economy." She said she had contacted Bombardier CEO Éric Martel to offer her government's full support, adding: "I will not respond to provocation with provocation. Quebec will not allow anyone to dictate where our companies must produce in order to access a market."
The BBC has requested comment from the office of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The latest development follows the collapse of trade talks between Canada and the US late last month, after Canada withdrew from negotiations. The US subsequently imposed new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian goods. Carney accused the Trump administration of introducing last-minute terms that were "unfair" and "uneconomic," while US officials claimed Carney refused to sign a deal for political reasons tied to Trump's unpopularity in Canada—an allegation Carney has denied.