Trade hawks in the White House are circling as President Trump delivers a stark message to Canada: certify Gulfstream jets or face 50% tariffs on your aircraft. The January 30 post on Truth Social pulled no punches, charging Ottawa with ‘unlawful and persistent’ denial of certifications for Gulfstream’s G500 through G800 series.
Trump hailed these jets as aviation masterpieces, blocked unfairly from Canadian skies. In response, he’s ordering the decertification of Bombardier’s Global Express and every other Canadian-built plane—a move set to last until Gulfstream wins approval. It’s classic Trump: eye-for-an-eye trade policy.
The tariff threat looms largest, targeting all Canadian aircraft imports at 50% if regulators don’t budge fast. This pits powerhouse Gulfstream against Bombardier in a high-stakes showdown, with broader implications for cross-border commerce.
Critics pounced immediately. NY Senator Kirsten Gillibrand accused Trump of endangering allies with ‘illegal threats,’ citing his track record: 100% on Canadian products, 25% on Korean goods, NATO-wide 10% unless territorial concessions. For New Yorkers, the pain is personal—reliance on Canadian fertilizers, energy, and parts means higher costs.
Gillibrand quantified the damage: past tariffs added $4,200 per household, exacerbating inflation. ‘When prices are skyrocketing, this is reckless,’ she said, calling for de-escalation.
The US-Canada economic marriage is deeply intertwined, from pipelines to plane parts. Pundits fear this certification clash signals deeper fractures, potentially hiking costs and straining diplomacy. As markets digest the news, stakeholders brace for fallout in this pivotal partnership.