Trump threatens to ban sales of Canadian Bombardier aircraft in the US
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Monday that Canadian company Bombardier would not be able to sell its aircraft in the U.S. unless it moved production there, writes the BBC.
"No more Bombardier sales in the United States! — Trump wrote on the social network Truth Social. — If they want access to our market, they must manufacture here and stop treating America like a 'piggy bank'."
This statement came amidst an escalation of the trade war between the two neighboring countries and just hours before Canada's planned imposition of retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of American goods.
It is unclear exactly how Trump intends to ban Bombardier from doing business in the U.S.
The White House also did not answer how steps could be taken to ban aircraft deliveries approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Reuters notes.
The Montreal-based company, specializing in business jet manufacturing, already has a plant in the American state of Kansas, where special-purpose military aircraft are produced. The enterprise employs 3,500 Americans.
According to information on the company's website, Bombardier aircraft are manufactured at facilities in Canada, the U.S., and Mexico in accordance with the requirements of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which came into force in 1994.
Bombardier is one of Canada's largest companies and one of the largest employers in Quebec province's manufacturing sector.
Quebec Economy Minister Christine Fréchette wrote on the social network X that the company is a "source of pride" for the province and an "economic flagship." According to her, she contacted Bombardier CEO Éric Martel and offered full government support.
"I will not respond to provocation with provocation," she commented on Trump's statement. "Quebec will not allow anyone to dictate where our companies should manufacture to gain market access."
Trade negotiations between Canada and the U.S. sharply deteriorated again at the end of August after Canada withdrew from trade agreement talks, after which the U.S. imposed new 50-percent tariffs on a range of Canadian goods.
Prime Minister Mark Carney accused the Trump administration of presenting last-minute conditions that he called unfair and economically unjustified. Washington, in turn, argued that Canada refused to sign the agreement for political reasons — due to Trump's unpopularity in Canada. Carney himself denies this.
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