Trump Escalates Trade War with Threat of 50% Tariff on Canadian Aircraft in US
Former President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Canada, threatening to impose a 50% tariff on all aircraft sold within the United States. This aggressive move represents the latest escalation in his ongoing trade war with America's northern neighbour, as tensions with Prime Minister Mark Carney continue to intensify.
Latest Salvo in Expanding Feud
The threat, which was posted on social media on Thursday 29 January 2026, follows Trump's weekend warning of potential 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if the country proceeded with a planned trade agreement with China. However, this earlier threat lacked specific implementation details, particularly as Canada had already finalised its deal.
In his latest inflammatory statement, the Republican former president framed the proposed tariff as retaliation against Canada for refusing to certify aircraft manufactured by Gulfstream Aerospace, based in Savannah, Georgia.
Specific Threats and Potential Consequences
Trump declared that the United States would respond by decertifying all Canadian aircraft, including those produced by aerospace giant Bombardier. He stated unequivocally: "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."
This development marks a significant deterioration in US-Canada trade relations, with potential implications for:
- The aerospace industry on both sides of the border
- Bilateral trade agreements and negotiations
- Manufacturing and employment in related sectors
- International perceptions of US trade policy stability
The absence of concrete implementation timelines in Trump's threats creates uncertainty for businesses and policymakers attempting to navigate this volatile trade landscape. As the situation continues to evolve, industry analysts are closely monitoring potential responses from the Canadian government and the broader impact on North American economic cooperation.
