U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Monday that Bombardier, a Montreal-based aircraft manufacturer, would be prohibited from selling its products in the United States unless it establishes manufacturing operations within the country.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated, “NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES! Their products do not meet the required standards! If they wish to access our market, they must establish production facilities here and cease treating America as merely a financial resource.”
Trump’s message, issued amid escalating trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa, is part of his ongoing efforts to urge both foreign and domestic companies to increase manufacturing activities within the U.S.
This objective has been a key driver of many economic policies during his current term, including the imposition of widespread tariffs that have elicited objections from various U.S. trading partners.
Canada is poised to implement retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. early next week.
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette responded to Trump’s statements by emphasizing the significance of Bombardier to Quebec’s economy, describing it as a symbol of pride and a major contributor to the aerospace industry. She expressed support for Bombardier’s CEO, Eric Martel, and the thousands of Quebec employees who showcase the region’s expertise globally.
The White House has not yet provided details on how Trump plans to enforce the measures against Bombardier or prevent the delivery of approved Bombardier jets by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Despite Trump’s directive, Bombardier highlighted its existing operations in the U.S. and its commitment to expanding, emphasizing that its aircraft support tens of thousands of American jobs.
Aerospace analyst Richard Aboulafia expressed skepticism about the feasibility of cancelling Bombardier orders, noting that most of their private jets use U.S.-made engines from companies like Honeywell Aerospace and GE Aerospace.
While the aerospace sector has remained relatively unaffected by tariff disputes, the U.S. aerospace and defense industry boasts a significant trade surplus, with exports increasing by 25% annually in 2025, as reported by the Aerospace Industries Association.
Bombardier, a direct competitor of U.S.-based Gulfstream Aerospace, operates in the U.S. with a workforce of 3,500 and maintains 2,800 suppliers. The company is expanding its U.S. presence by establishing new service centers and producing wings for its flagship jet in Texas. Additionally, Bombardier’s defense division operates a factory in Kansas, preparing aircraft for specialized missions, with half of its fleet located in the U.S.
In previous instances, Trump had threatened import tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft, including Bombardier jets, but these measures were not implemented. Bombardier recently announced the acquisition of a Canadian factory to boost production for its aircraft models.
John Gradek, a supply chain networks and aviation management expert at McGill University, believes that Bombardier may be just the first target in Trump’s trade dispute strategy with Canada. He anticipates further actions against Canadian companies and urges Canada to consider possible retaliatory measures.