Canada approves some Gulfstream jets after Trump threats

Thomas Seal and Melissa Shin, Bloomberg News on Feb 20, 2026

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Canada’s aviation regulator issued certificates for some Gulfstream jet models after President Donald Trump complained the country had “refused” to greenlight the aircraft and threatened tariffs and other measures in retaliation.

So-called Type Certificates, which Canada uses when a product meets airworthiness standards, were issued for the Gulfstream GVII-G500 and GVII-G600 on Feb. 15, according to documents published by Canada’s transport department.

Trump said in January that he’d impose a 50% tariff on Canada-made aircraft if the country didn’t approve four models of jets made by Gulfstream, a unit of General Dynamics Corp., claiming the country had “wrongfully, illegally, and steadfastly refused” to certify the G500, G600, G700 and G800 models.

Certificates for the G700 and G800 did not appear to have been issued yet, according to the Transport Canada website.

The office of Canada’s Minister of Transport confirmed that the G500 and G600 had been certified and said Canada was still discussing the G700 and G800 with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Gulfstream didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump also threatened to de-certify planes made in Canada, including some from Bombardier Inc., “until such time as Gulfstream, a Great American Company, is fully certified.” Such a move would jeopardize the Montreal-based company’s access to its biggest market for private jets.

The day after Trump’s post, Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly said the certification process for Gulfstream’s jets was “well underway” and that the approval process for aircraft “is something we don’t politicize.”