Trump threatens Canadian jetmaker Bombardier despite its extensive U.S. footprint

Donald Trump has threatened to stop Bombardier from selling aircraft in the United States unless the Canadian business manufactures planes there. The company responded by highlighting how deeply its operations already depend on American suppliers and workers.

Bombardier said major components, including wings and engines, are produced in the United States. Its supply chain includes about 2,800 U.S. companies across 47 states, and the company said it creates tens of thousands of jobs directly and through suppliers.

“

NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES! Their products aren’t good enough!

Wings for Bombardier business jets are made in Texas, while flight-control components come from near Los Angeles. Honeywell produces engines for the company’s Challenger jets in Phoenix, and Collins Aerospace makes avionics and communications equipment in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

“

If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a 'piggybank.'

“Bombardier values its great partnership with American companies and its U.S. employees. Our plan is to continue to invest in our people, our customers, and the communities in which we operate across the country,” the company said. It also called the American aerospace industry a “clear winner on trade and exports.”

Bombardier has significant operations in Kansas, where it employs more than 1,200 people. Republican senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall said they had contacted the White House about the potential impact on Kansas workers. Moran said he wanted Trump to understand the company’s contribution to the state and the importance of its Wichita presence. Marshall said he would fight to keep the jobs and had raised the concern inside the Oval Office.

“

Bombardier values its great partnership with American companies and its U.S. employees. Our plan is to continue to invest in our people, our customers, and the communities in which we operate across the country.

The threat came after trade talks between Canada and the United States collapsed on Aug. 21. Trump and his administration then issued tariffs, threats and personal attacks against Canada, while Canada responded with tariffs on about $20 billion in U.S. goods. Earlier in the year, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to buy six early-warning radar planes from Sweden’s Saab and Bombardier instead of from U.S. aircraft manufacturers. The Saab aircraft use Bombardier’s Global 6500 platform.

“

I’m going to fight to keep Bombardier’s over 1,200 Kansas jobs. I’ve already taken that concern inside the Oval Office.