US President Donald Trump ramped up his dispute with Canada, threatening restrictions on Canadian-made aircraft and a 50% tariff. The warning targets Canada’s aerospace industry and is the latest flashpoint in a fast-worsening relationship between Washington and Ottawa. Trump, on Thursday, said he could “decertify” Canadian planes, a move that would effectively stop them from being approved for use in the US.

Trump’s comments follow a tense weekend during which he threatened Canada,  the US’s second-largest trading partner, with tariffs of up to 100% over its trade outreach to China.

US threatens to block Canadian aircraft as tensions with Ottawa rise

In a post on Truth Social on Thursday evening, Trump accused Canada of refusing to certify several American-made aircraft. He said Ottawa had “steadfastly refused” to approve Gulfstream jets for use in Canada. Because of this, Trump said he was “hereby decertifying” Bombardier Global Express jets and “all aircraft made in Canada”.

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He claimed the decision was “based on the fact that Canada has wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused to certify the Gulfstream 500, 600, 700, and 800 Jets, one of the greatest, most technologically advanced airplanes ever made”. Trump also warned that a hefty tariff would follow if the issue was not resolved quickly.

50% tariff threat unless issue is ‘immediately corrected’

Trump said the US would impose tariffs of 50% on all Canadian-made aircraft sold into the United States unless the situation was “immediately corrected”. The threat puts major pressure on Canada’s aircraft makers, including Bombardier, which sells business jets to US buyers.

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Canada’s aerospace sector is a major part of its economy. According to a Canadian government website, the industry contributed C$34.2 billion (US$25.3 billion) to the country’s GDP in 2024 and supports around 225,000 jobs.

The latest warning comes just a week after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused the US of damaging the global order. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Carney said Washington was causing a “rupture” in how the world economy works.

In recent weeks, Trump has threatened heavy tariffs on several countries, including Iran, Canada and parts of Europe. However, in many cases, those threats were later toned down, delayed or withdrawn.