Washington, SEPT 8(SANA) U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Monday to block the sale of Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier’s aircraft in the United States, hours before Canada was due to impose retaliatory tariffs on a range of U.S. products.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said: “We will no longer allow Bombardier aircraft to be sold in the United States,” without specifying the measures his administration intends to take to implement the threat.
Trump said Bombardier aircraft and Canadian products do not meet the required standards, noting that more than half of the company’s revenues come from the U.S. market.
He pointed to Bombardier’s reliance on U.S. buyers, companies, airports and services, while accusing Canada of imposing restrictions on the operations of U.S. companies on its territory.
Trump added that Canadian companies seeking access to the U.S. market should build their facilities there and stop treating the United States as a source of profit, reiterating his “America First” policy.
The threat came as Canada prepared to impose retaliatory tariffs ranging from 15% to 50% on U.S. goods. Canada said the measures would apply to imports worth about $27.6 billion, or roughly $20 billion, and would cover sectors including steel, dairy, appliances, agricultural equipment, pulp and paper, and electronics.
In July, Trump signed orders imposing 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods, accusing Canada of applying “discriminatory treatment” to U.S. products, particularly alcoholic beverages, automobiles and dairy products.
In January, Trump had threatened to revoke certification for aircraft manufactured in Canada, particularly Bombardier aircraft, and impose 50% tariffs on aircraft sold in the United States, amid a dispute over certification procedures for U.S.-made aircraft in Canada.
The January measures did not take effect as threatened, according to Reuters, which reported that Canada subsequently certified several aircraft produced by U.S. rival Gulfstream.
Canada’s retaliatory tariffs took effect Tuesday, Sept. 8, with rates of 15%, 25% and 50% depending on the products targeted.
T.S /Ruaa
