Trump Threatens to Ban Bombardier Sales in US, Escalating Trade Dispute

Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday demanded that Bombardier be barred from the American market unless it commits to building aircraft in the United States, a significant escalation in a recurring trade dispute that could place billions of dollars of the Canadian company's revenue at risk.

Trump's Ultimatum

In a post on the Truth Social platform, Trump called for an immediate end to the company's U.S. sales. "NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES!" he wrote, claiming the company's products "aren’t good enough!"

Trump asserted that over 50% of Bombardier's revenue originates from the U.S. and accused Canada of blocking American companies. "If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a ‘piggybank,’" he added. Based on analyst forecasts for Bombardier's 2026 revenue of US$10.2 billion, a U.S. market ban could jeopardize more than $5 billion in annual sales for the jet manufacturer. As of Monday afternoon, Bombardier (TSX: BBD.B) had not issued a public response, and the White House has not specified a mechanism to enforce such a ban.

Broader Trade Tensions

The threat comes at a critical moment in U.S.-Canada trade relations. Canada is scheduled to implement counter-tariffs on $27.6 billion worth of U.S. goods at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, September 8. The tariffs, with rates between 15% and 50%, will affect over 700 American products.

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In a recent interview with CBC News, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer warned against further escalation from Ottawa. "If there’s further retaliation from the Canadian side, of course, we’re not going to just sit down and take that," Greer said. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed there were no talks scheduled between the two leaders on Monday.

Context and Financial Stakes

This is not the first time Trump has targeted the Montreal-based company. In January, he threatened to decertify Bombardier's Global Express jets and impose 50% import tariffs, though neither action was taken. Trump later claimed his pressure directly led to Canada certifying several aircraft from U.S.-based Gulfstream Aerospace in February.

The ultimatum places a cloud over Bombardier's recent financial performance. According to data from Yahoo Finance, the company reported a 6% year-over-year revenue increase in Q2 2026 to US$2.2 billion, driven by 32 aircraft deliveries and record services revenue. The company's full-year 2025 revenue was US$9.55 billion. Meanwhile, a Reuters/Ipsos poll published September 1 indicated that only 20% of Americans support higher tariffs on Canada, with 57% opposed.