Trump Calls for Type Certificate Revocation of All Bombardier Globals

President Donald Trump recently announced that the U.S. is revoking type certificates of all “Bombardier Global Expresses and all Aircraft made in Canada” until Gulfstream “is fully certified” by Transport Canada. Further, he has threatened 50% tariffs on any aircraft produced in Canada and sold in the U.S. if the situation is not “immediately corrected.”

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Canada has steadfastly refused to certify the Gulfstream G500, G600, G700, and G800. “Canada is effectively prohibiting the sale of Gulfstream products in Canada through this very same process.”

In response, Bombardier said it has taken note of the post and is in contact with the Canadian government. “Thousands of private and civilian jets built in Canada fly in the U.S. every day,” the Montreal-based airframer said. “We hope this is quickly resolved to avoid a significant impact on air traffic and the flying public.”

Bombardier further pointed out that it employs more than 3,000 people in the U.S. across nine major facilities and has created thousands more jobs through 2,800 suppliers. “Our aircraft, facilities, and technicians are fully certified to FAA standards and renowned around the world. We are actively investing in expanding our U.S. operations, including a recent announcement in Fort Wayne, Indiana,” the company added.

The FAA deferred comment on whether action has been taken yet to revoke the type certificates, with a spokesman for the agency telling BJT, “Please contact the White House," but a White House spokesman said, "This does not affect aircraft that are currently operational and in service."

Even so, such a move—revoking a type certificate over trade disputes rather than for safety grounds—would be highly unusual. It also raises questions about the ramifications of international bilateral aviation safety agreements. The announcement also raises questions, such as whether “all” aircraft made in Canada would affect Bell and other type certificate holders such as Viking.

Gulfstream received U.S. certification for the G500 and G600 in 2018 and 2019. Neither is certified in Canada, but both have received an EASA nod. The G700 followed in March 2024 with FAA certification and, within a year, had picked up 11 validations, including European approval. But Canadian approval was not among them. The G800, meanwhile, received its FAA and EASA approval last April concurrently.

Quite often, manufacturers will seek FAA, EASA, and Transport Canada approval concurrently as they undertake major certification projects, but sometimes there is a bit of a lag. However, the OEM may not look for such validations until they have a customer based in the country.