Jets Stir the Waters

FEB. 3, 2026 – The federal government is trying to defuse American anger over safety approvals for General Dynamics Corp.’s Gulfstream jets after U.S. President Donald Trump blasted Canada for having “refused” to certify the planes and threatened retaliation against Bombardier Inc. and other domestic aircraft manufacturers.

U.S. and European regulators have certified Gulfstream’s G700 and G800 models, however Canada is still reviewing the aircraft. “Canada is working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Bombardier and General Dynamics to resolve outstanding certification matters in a way that protects safety and regulatory integrity…” as Transport Canada spokesman Hicham Ayoun said in an e-mailed statement.

Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon said Canada has a collaborative relationship with the FAA that stretches back decades in matters of aircraft certification. He said he’s been given the latest information on the Gulfstream approvals and has been in touch with “a number of people” on the issue but cautioned he does not interfere with the certification process. “We’re communicating with both of the manufacturers and all the people in the industry to make sure that everyone understands the timeline,” Mr. MacKinnon told reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday. “To the extent that any ambiguities or misunderstandings may have existed, I think they’ve been dissipated,” he said.

Mr. Trump startled Canada’s aerospace industry last Thursday with a social-media post saying the United States is decertifying Bombardier’s Global Express jets and “all Aircraft made in Canada” until Canada approves the new business jets made by Savannah, Ga.-based Gulfstream. He said Canada has “wrongfully, illegally and steadfastly refused” to certify four Gulfstream jet models, and he threatened a 50-per-cent import tariff on Canadian aircraft sold into the U.S. if the situation was not immediately addressed. – (excerpt courtesy: Canadian Press)