Trump threatens to block Bombardier jets from US market

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has threatened to prevent Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier from selling its jets in the United States unless the company expands its manufacturing operations on American soil.

Trump issued the warning in a social media post on Monday, arguing that companies seeking access to the US market should manufacture their products in the United States rather than relying on American consumers.

The threat comes as trade tensions between the United States and Canada continue to escalate, with Ottawa preparing retaliatory tariffs on roughly $20 billion worth of US goods.

It remains unclear what specific measures the Trump administration could use to restrict Bombardier’s sales in the US or whether any formal policy or legal process has been initiated.

Bombardier, headquartered in Montreal, already has a substantial presence in the United States. The company operates a facility in Wichita, Kansas, where it manufactures specialised military aircraft, and employs around 3,500 people across its US operations.

The company also maintains facilities and operations in several other states, including Texas, Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, California and New Jersey, as well as Washington, DC.

A significant share of Bombardier’s business is also linked to the US market. Around half of the company’s approximately 5,100 aircraft are operated by customers based in the United States.

Bombardier did not directly respond to Trump’s threat but highlighted the scale of its American operations and its contribution to the US economy.

In a statement, the company said its growing US presence supports tens of thousands of American jobs and stressed that it values its relationships with US employees, customers and business partners.

Bombardier said it intended to continue investing in its workforce, customers and communities across the United States.

The company manufactures aircraft at facilities in Canada, the US and Mexico. Its operations are integrated into the North American aerospace supply chain and fall under the framework of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, known as CUSMA in Canada and USMCA in the United States.

Bombardier is one of Canada’s largest companies and a major contributor to Quebec’s manufacturing sector. A company-commissioned economic report estimated that Bombardier contributed C$7.4 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product in 2024.

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette defended Bombardier following Trump’s remarks, calling the company an important economic asset and a source of pride for the province.

Fréchette said she had contacted Bombardier Chief Executive Éric Martel and offered the provincial government’s support. She also rejected the idea that Quebec companies should be pressured over where they manufacture their products in order to gain access to foreign markets.

The dispute is part of a broader deterioration in US-Canada trade relations.

Negotiations between the two countries broke down late last month after Canada withdrew from discussions. Washington subsequently imposed new 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian products.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has criticised the US administration’s negotiating position, describing proposed terms as unfair and economically damaging. US officials, meanwhile, have accused Carney of refusing to reach an agreement for political reasons, an allegation the Canadian prime minister has rejected.