Trump’s Canada Aircraft Decertification Applies Only to New Planes

Key Points

• Trump's order to decertify Canadian aircraft only applies to new planes, not those currently in service in the U.S.
• The move is in response to Canada delaying certification of certain Gulfstream jets, and could impact future sales of aircraft like the Airbus A220.
• It remains unclear how the FAA could enforce such an order, as it typically decertifies aircraft only for safety or airworthiness reasons.

Summary

President Trump has ordered the decertification of Canadian-made aircraft in the U.S., but a White House spokesperson clarified that this will only apply to new planes, leaving the thousands of Bombardier and Airbus A220 aircraft currently in service unaffected. The order, which follows a dispute over Canada's delay in certifying Gulfstream jets, also threatens a 50% tariff on Canadian aircraft. The enforcement of this order is uncertain, as the FAA generally only decertifies aircraft for safety reasons, not economic disputes.