Canada Approves Latest Gulfstream Business Jets After Trump Tariff Threat

Regulators give green light to G700 and G800 models despite deicing concerns flagged by FAA

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Canadian regulators have approved Gulfstream's latest G700 and G800 business jet models, despite recent threats from former U.S. President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on Canadian-built planes if the jets were not certified. The approval comes a week after Transport Canada certified two older Gulfstream models, marking a resolution to the trade tensions between the two countries over the aircraft's status.

Why it matters

The certification of the Gulfstream jets is a significant development, as it averts a potential trade dispute between Canada and the U.S. over aircraft imports. The threat of tariffs from the former president had raised concerns about the impact on the aviation industry and cross-border trade relations.

The details

Transport Canada granted certification to the G700 and G800 business jets on Monday, roughly a week after approving two older Gulfstream models. This came despite deicing concerns flagged by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which had given the two jet models conditional certification in 2024, requiring Gulfstream to prove the planes function properly in icy conditions by the end of this year.

  • On February 24, 2026, Transport Canada certified the Gulfstream G700 and G800 business jets.
  • In January 2026, former U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to decertify and place tariffs on all Canadian-built planes unless the government approved Gulfstream business jets.

The players

Transport Canada

Canada's federal transportation department responsible for overseeing and regulating the country's aviation industry.

Gulfstream Aerospace

An American company that manufactures and sells business jets, including the G700 and G800 models that were recently certified in Canada.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who threatened to impose tariffs on Canadian-built planes if the Gulfstream jets were not certified.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for regulating and overseeing civil aviation, including the certification of aircraft.

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What they’re saying

“If, for any reason, this situation is not immediately corrected, I am going to charge Canada a 50% Tariff on any and all Aircraft sold into the United States of America.”

— Donald Trump, Former U.S. President (ksgf.com)

“Certification is about safety and it would be unprecedented to decertify for trade reasons.”

— John Gradek, Aviation management professor at McGill University (ksgf.com)

What’s next

Gulfstream has until the end of 2026 to prove to the FAA that the G700 and G800 models function properly in icy conditions, as required for their conditional certification.

The takeaway

The certification of the Gulfstream jets in Canada, despite the trade tensions, demonstrates the importance of prioritizing aviation safety over political posturing. It also highlights the need for continued cooperation and coordination between regulatory bodies on both sides of the border to ensure the smooth flow of cross-border trade in the aviation industry.