U.S. president Donald Trump’s threat to ”decertify” Bombardier jets and slap a hefty import tariff on Canadian-built planes is nothing more than sour grapes from an American competitor, says a leading industry expert.
The U.S. president made the threats in a Thursday evening post on his Truth social media platform.
“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, we are hereby decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada, until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified,” Trump wrote.
John Gradek, head of the aviation management program at McGill University, said the real motivation for Trump’s threats is because Gulfstream’s product simply isn’t a match for the latest Bombardier Global Express.
“The Global Express is better in speed, fuel efficiency and roominess. And it’s also cheaper,” said Gradek. “Bombardier is beating the crap out of Gulfstream in the marketplace, and clearly, Gulfstream has the president’s ear.”
The Bombardier Global Express 8000 has a suggested list price of between $70 and $72 million (U.S.), while the Gulfstream 800 is roughly $75 million, Gradek said, adding that he was “flabbergasted” when he saw Trump’s post.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” Gradek said.
The union representing aerospace workers on both sides of the border slammed Trump’s threat.
“The aerospace industries in Canada and the United States are deeply interconnected,” said David Chartrand, Canadian Vice President for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
“Any attack on Canadian aircraft harms both Canadian and American workers alike. Aircraft certification must remain independent and grounded in safety, not politics. Politically motivated decertification would create instability, threaten thousands of jobs on both sides of the border, and undermine the integrity of the aviation system we all depend on.”
In a written statement, Bombardier said it was in touch with the Canadian government, and also pointed out that it has manufacturing operations in the U.S. as well as Canada.
“Bombardier is an international company that employs more than 3,000 people in the U.S. across 9 major facilities, and creates thousands of U.S. jobs through 2,800 suppliers,” Bombardier said. “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.”
While Trump’s initial statement appeared to suggest he was considering decertifying planes already in operation, White House officials said Friday that the threat only applied to new planes not yet delivered.
