US President Donald Trump threatens to cut off sales of the Bombardier aircraft in the United States if the Canadian aircraft maker does not raise its Canadian production. The caution is issued in the wake of escalating tensions between Washington and Ottawa over trade policies and tariffs.
The statements were made on Trump’s Truth Social platform Monday and suggested that the Canadian provision in trade “must not be considered to be just and fair.” He juxtaposed the “morality” of Canada’s discrimination against American companies and American banks, as they try to do business in Canada.
As Trump urged to end what he said was “Canada playing the part of a piggybank” with the US, he said “if they want our Market, they must build here”.
Trump has not detailed the steps his administration would take, if it decided to suspend sales of Bombardier aircraft. His comments come just before Canada is set to impose retaliatory tariffs on several US goods.
The US is a crucial market for Bombardier, accounting for more than half of the company’s revenue, according to Trump. The manufacturers are currently producing thousands of aircraft which are flying for US airlines.
Bombardier’s reply was to tout its expanding footprint in the United States. According to the company, it helps power 10,000s of jobs in the United States and 2,800 companies in the United States in 47 states in its supply chain.
The Canadian company also pointed out it is fitted with a number of American-made parts, like engines, avionics and various other systems. A plant was scheduled to open in Fort Wayne, Ind., later this year, too, Bombardier said.
The current engulfment of trade tensions between the United States and Canada puts another cloud over the trade landscape.