U.S. President Donald Trump said he would impose a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft sold in the U.S. and cancel certification of all Canadian-made aircraft until Ottawa agrees to approve certain jets made by U.S. Gulfstream Aerospace.
Trump posted on social media on Thursday that Canada "wrongly, illegally and persistently refuses to certify Gulfstream 500, 600, 700 and 800 aircraft." In response, he said the United States would decertify Bombardier Global and all Canadian-built aircraft until that great American company, Gulfstream, was fully certified. "
Trump claimed that Canada "effectively banned the sale of Gulfstream products in Canada through the same certification process."
"If for any reason this situation is not corrected immediately, I will impose a 50 per cent tariff on all Canadian aircraft sales to the United States," he added.
Trump's move is the latest escalation in trade tensions between the United States and major trading partner Canada, after he threatened to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if Canada reaches a trade deal with China.
