Trump Threatens to Decertify Canadian-Made Aircraft

Experts cast doubt on president's ability to ban Canadian planes from U.S. skies

Feb. 1, 2026 at 5:15pm

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U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to decertify and impose tariffs on Canadian-made aircraft, including Bombardier luxury jets and regional planes, as well as Airbus A220 single-aisle jets and helicopters from Bell Textron. However, experts say the president lacks the authority to ground planes, as aircraft certification falls under the jurisdiction of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Why it matters

Trump's proposed move would deal a blow to plane makers, airlines, and travelers on both sides of the border, as a significant portion of aircraft operating in the U.S. are built in Canada. The aerospace industry has warned that such a politically motivated action by a safety regulator would set a dangerous precedent.

The details

Trump alleged that Canada has refused to certify four types of business jets made by Bombardier-rival Gulfstream, based in Savannah, Georgia, framing the decision as illegal. However, Canadian regulators typically follow the lead of their counterparts in the U.S. and Europe, where the planes have received the green light. The U.S. administration later clarified that the ban would apply only to new aircraft, not the more than 5,400 Canadian-built planes and helicopters already registered in the United States.

  • On January 31, 2026, Trump made the threat to decertify Canadian-made aircraft on social media.
  • In January 2024, the FAA granted a temporary exemption to Gulfstream, giving the company until the end of that year to prove its G700 and G800 business jets function properly in icing conditions.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who threatened to decertify Canadian-made aircraft.

Bombardier Inc.

A Canadian aircraft manufacturer that produces luxury jets and regional planes, as well as the Airbus A220 single-aisle jet.

Gulfstream

An American aerospace company based in Savannah, Georgia, that manufactures business jets.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. regulatory authority responsible for aircraft certification, which experts say has the sole authority to ground planes, not the president.

Jean-Denis Pelletier

A former member of the Canadian Transportation Agency who stated that the FAA, not Trump, controls aircraft certification.

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What they’re saying

“The FAA is controlling the certification. Mr. Trump has no authority to do that.”

— Jean-Denis Pelletier, Former Canadian Transportation Agency member

“Threatening action by a safety regulator for political purposes would set a dangerous precedent in the aerospace industry – the FAA may not even have legal authority to ground a plane at the whim of the president.”

— Cameron Doerksen, National Bank analyst

“This is really strange, because certification of aircraft is a very, very long process. It takes years.”

— Ross Aimer, CEO of Aero Consulting Experts

What’s next

The FAA will have until the end of 2024 to determine if Gulfstream's G700 and G800 business jets meet the agency's safety requirements for certification.

The takeaway

Trump's proposed ban on Canadian-made aircraft faces significant legal and practical hurdles, as the president lacks the authority to unilaterally ground planes for political reasons. This incident highlights the complex regulatory framework governing the aerospace industry and the potential for trade disputes to disrupt air travel and commerce between the U.S. and its closest ally.