WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has said Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier will not be allowed to sell its products in the United States unless the company expands manufacturing operations in the country, escalating trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa.
Trump made the statement Monday in a post on Truth Social, saying Bombardier would need to manufacture aircraft in the United States if it wanted continued access to the American market.
The White House has not provided details on how the proposed restriction would be implemented or what regulatory or trade measures could be used to enforce it.
What did Trump say about Bombardier?
Trump argued that Bombardier should manufacture in the United States rather than rely on the American market for sales. His comments are part of a broader push by his administration to encourage companies to increase domestic production.
The administration has pursued this objective through tariffs and other trade measures targeting imports from several countries, including Canada.
Bombardier already operates a US-based defence facility in Kansas, where it prepares aircraft for special-mission operations. Around half of the company’s 5,100-aircraft fleet operated by customers is based in the United States.
Why has Bombardier faced US trade pressure before?
Trump previously threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Canadian-made aircraft and said Bombardier’s Global Express business jets could face US restrictions.
Those measures were linked to a dispute involving aircraft certification and competition with US-based Gulfstream. The threatened actions were not ultimately implemented, while Canada later certified several Gulfstream aircraft.
Bombardier announced on September 1 that it would acquire a Canadian manufacturing facility from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, which produces wings for its Global 5500 and 6500 business jets.
The company has not yet publicly responded to Trump’s latest remarks.
Bombardier reported quarterly revenue of $2.15 billion in July, up 6% year-on-year, supported in part by continued demand for aftermarket services.