President Donald Trump has stated that Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier will no longer be able to sell its products in the United States unless it relocates its manufacturing operations to the US. Trump expressed this position in a post on Truth Social, stating, "NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES! If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a 'piggybank.'" This warning comes amid rising trade tensions between the US and Canada, coinciding with the impending imposition of Canadian retaliatory tariffs on $20 billion worth of US goods.
It remains unclear how Trump plans to enforce this restriction on Bombardier's business operations in the US. Bombardier already has a factory in Kansas that produces special mission military planes and employs approximately 3,500 American workers. Additionally, around half of Bombardier's fleet, totaling 5,100 aircraft, is operated by customers based in the US.
According to Bombardier's website, the company manufactures jets in Canada, the US, and Mexico, and its operations comply with the North American free trade agreement, known as CUSMA in Canada and USMCA in the US.
Bombardier is one of Canada's largest companies, contributing C$7.4 billion (approximately $5.4 billion) to the country's GDP in 2024, based on a report commissioned by the company. It is also a significant employer in Quebec's manufacturing sector.
Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette referred to Bombardier as "a source of pride" for the province and a key player in its economy. She has reached out to Bombardier CEO Éric Martel to offer her government's support. In response to Trump's comments, Fréchette stated, "I will not respond to provocation with provocation," emphasizing that Quebec will not allow external pressures to dictate where its companies operate.
Trade negotiations between Canada and the US broke down late last month after Canada withdrew from discussions, leading to the US imposing new 50% tariffs on various Canadian goods. Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the Trump administration for presenting last-minute terms that he deemed "unfair" and "uneconomic," while US officials accused him of refusing to finalize a deal for political reasons, a claim he has denied.