Senators urge Trump to drop Bombardier sales ban

Two U.S. senators have asked President Donald Trump to reconsider his threat to ban aircraft sales from Canadian manufacturer Bombardier. Trump posted on social media that Bombardier products are not good enough and that the company must build in the United States if it wants access to the American market.

The threat follows the collapse of Canada‑U.S. trade talks on Aug. 21, after which the Trump administration imposed tariffs and made aggressive statements against Canada. Ottawa responded on Tuesday with counter‑tariffs on about $20 billion of U.S. imports.

Bombardier highlighted that key components for its aircraft, including wings and engines, are already produced in the United States and that the company relies heavily on an American supply chain. It said the U.S. aerospace sector remains a clear winner on trade and exports and that it supports tens of thousands of jobs directly and through its supplier network.

The threat has raised concerns in Kansas, a Republican stronghold that voted for Trump by about 16 percentage points in 2024. Both senators, Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, said they had contacted the White House to address potential economic fallout for local workers and to preserve Bombardier’s 1,200 jobs in Wichita.

Canada’s defense procurement plans add context to the dispute. Earlier this year Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a purchase of six airborne early‑warning radar aircraft built by Sweden’s Saab in partnership with Bombardier, using Bombardier’s Global 6500 platform that contains 20 % U.S.‑made components. Canada is also reviewing a purchase of U.S. F‑35 fighters and has considered building Saab’s Gripen locally.