Canadian aviation officials have given their stamp of approval to Gulfstream’s G700 and G800 business aircraft, following weeks of pressure from President Donald Trump who threatened economic retaliation over the jets’ regulatory status.
Records from Transport Canada’s database indicate the American manufacturer’s newest private aircraft received certification on Monday, approximately one week after regulators cleared two earlier Gulfstream variants.
Marie-Justine Torres, speaking for Canada’s transportation department, verified on Tuesday that Transport Canada had issued the certification.
Last month, Trump issued warnings that he would revoke certification and impose duties on all aircraft manufactured in Canada if the government failed to authorize Gulfstream business jets.
Transport Canada’s approval proceeded even though the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has raised concerns about ice removal systems, granting only conditional approval to the G700 and G800 models in 2024.
According to the FAA, General Dynamics-owned Gulfstream must demonstrate by year’s end that both aircraft models operate “properly … where ice may form in the fuel system.”
In late January, Trump specifically targeted Bombardier Inc. with threats to ban Canadian-manufactured aircraft and impose a 50% duty, representing another chapter in escalating commercial disputes between the neighboring countries.
The president stated he was responding to Canada’s refusal to certify aircraft from Gulfstream Aerospace, headquartered in Savannah, Georgia.
Trump indicated the United States would reciprocate by withdrawing certification for all Canadian aircraft, including those produced by the country’s premier aircraft manufacturer, Bombardier.
“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,” Trump said in his post.
The two companies compete directly in the luxury aircraft market, with Bombardier’s Global aircraft line vying for customers against Gulfstream’s most recent offerings.
John Gradek, an aviation management instructor at McGill University, noted that aircraft certification focuses on safety considerations and using decertification as a trade weapon would be without precedent.
