Donald Trump’s threat to ban Bombardier aircraft sales unless the Canadian company builds them in the U.S. is sparking resistance from politicians, including members within his own party.
As Canada’s $27.6-billion counter-tariffs take effect Tuesday, a Truth Social post from Trump sent shock waves through Bombardier’s U.S. workforce — particularly in Wichita, Kan., where the Canadian plane maker has its U.S. headquarters and employs more than 1,200 people.
“NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES! Their products aren’t good enough!” the U.S. president wrote in a social media post Monday. “If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a ‘piggy bank.’”
A couple of Kansas Republicans took to social media to defend jobs in Wichita, reminding Trump that the Canadian plane maker already has a significant U.S. presence.
Kansas state Rep. Nick Hoheisel said while he agrees with Trump’s goal of ensuring U.S. companies are treated fairly abroad, he encouraged the administration to work toward trade resolutions without putting American jobs at risk.
“Putting America First must include standing up for the hardworking men and women who build and service aircraft right here in Wichita,” Hoheisel said.
Sen. Roger Marshall posted on Facebook Tuesday that he would defend the Wichita workforce while sharing Trump’s objective of increasing U.S. production.
“I’m going to fight to keep Bombardier’s over 1,200 Kansas jobs,” Marshall wrote. “I’ve already taken that concern inside the Oval Office.”
He said he and the administration “agree on the mission” of bringing well-paying manufacturing jobs to Wichita and expanding Bombardier’s U.S. production, pointing out that American buyers account for more than 50 per cent of the company’s sales.
“I remember when my classmates’ parents worked at Learjet — later Bombardier — when it employed well over 3,000 people,” Marshall said. “Bombardier is obligated to grow that footprint in Kansas again.”
In response to Trump’s threats, the Quebec-based plane maker said on Monday that many components for its aircraft — including the wings — are produced in the U.S., and that its supply chain relies heavily on American firms, including 2,800 suppliers across 47 states.
“Bombardier values its great partnership with American companies and its U.S. employees. Our plan is to continue to invest in our people, our customers, and the communities in which we operate across the country,” it said.
Wichita Mayor Lily Wu said in a statement Monday that Trump’s post “certainly creates some uncertainty,” but she is hopeful the situation will work itself out.
Wu wrote that the city appreciates Bombardier’s continued investment, adding that she plans to meet with the company to better understand what the news could mean for its local operations.
In her post, she quoted U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, who said he “reached out to the Trump administration to make certain the President is aware of the significant contributions of Bombardier to Kansas and the importance of its presence in Wichita to many Kansas workers at Bombardier and in the Bombardier supply chain.”
This is not the first time Trump has targeted the jet manufacturer.
In January, he threatened to ground all Canadian-made aircraft in the U.S. and slap them with a 50 per cent tariff unless Canadian regulators certified several models produced by U.S. rival Gulfstream.
The threat did not materialize, but Canadian officials ultimately certified multiple Gulfstream jets the following month.
