Business AviationCanada expected to certify Gulfstream jets as FAA signals progress in dispute
Canada is expected to announce the certification of certain Gulfstream business jets that have faced delays for years, U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Bryan Bedford said on Tuesday, signaling progress in a dispute that had escalated into a trade confrontation.
Bedford told reporters on Capitol Hill that he understood Transport Canada would soon confirm the certifications. Canada’s transport regulator said it continues to work with Gulfstream and the FAA on the process.
The issue drew political attention last month after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to decertify Canadian-made Bombardier Global Express business jets and impose 50% tariffs on aircraft manufactured in Canada unless Ottawa moved forward with certification of Gulfstream models.
Aircraft certification is typically based on technical and safety assessments rather than trade policy. Industry analysts warned that linking certification decisions to economic leverage could undermine the global aviation regulatory framework.
A potential U.S. decertification of Canadian-built aircraft would have affected carriers such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which operate regional services using aircraft manufactured in Canada.
The certification dispute comes as broader tensions persist between Washington and Ottawa, including in the defense sector.
Canada has signed a contract with Lockheed Martin for 88 F-35A fighter jets to replace its aging fleet, but officials have signaled they may take only the first tranche of aircraft and reconsider the remainder of the order in favor of another manufacturer.
U.S. officials have warned that selecting a different fighter platform could complicate interoperability within the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the joint U.S.-Canada air defense system that relies on closely integrated aircraft, sensors and command networks.
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