Canada is expected to announce the certification of several Gulfstream business jets that have faced years of delays, according to the head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The anticipated move could ease tensions between the two countries after the issue drew public attention from President Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters on Capitol Hill Tuesday, FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford expressed confidence that the dispute had been resolved.
“I think we’ve resolved the issues with Canada,” Bedford said following a meeting with lawmakers. “My understanding is Transport Canada will announce the Gulfstream certifications that have been delayed for years.”
Bedford added that he expected the announcement regarding the U.S.-made business jets to come later in the week.
Transport Canada confirmed it is continuing to work alongside Gulfstream and the FAA to complete the certification process.
Last month, Trump escalated the matter in a social media post, stating that the U.S. was considering decertifying Canadian-made Bombardier Global Express business jets. He also threatened to impose 50% import tariffs on all Canadian-made aircraft unless Canada’s aviation regulator approved certain Gulfstream planes produced by the U.S. manufacturer.
Gulfstream, owned by General Dynamics, did not respond to requests for comment. Bombardier also declined to comment.
Typically, aircraft certification is handled strictly on safety grounds and is not tied to trade or political disputes.
Richard Aboulafia, managing director of Aerodynamic Advisory, noted that while the timing of Canada’s expected approval could appear linked to recent tensions, certification decisions should remain independent of political considerations. He said the development “might be coincidental, but aircraft certification should not be politicized or connected to economic incentives.”
Trump’s earlier remarks came during broader strains in U.S.-Canada relations. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had recently criticized U.S. trade policies and called on countries to recognize what he described as the end of the rules-based global order once championed by Washington.
In addition to threatening tariffs, Trump said he was planning on “decertifying their Bombardier Global Expresses, and all Aircraft made in Canada” unless the Gulfstream jets received approval.
A move to decertify Canadian aircraft would have had significant consequences for U.S. airlines such as American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which rely heavily on Canadian-made planes for regional routes.
Airline industry officials warned that using certification as a trade weapon could set a dangerous precedent. If aircraft approvals were influenced by economic disputes, other countries might adopt similar tactics, potentially destabilizing the global aviation system.
Canadian officials said last month they were working to resolve the certification dispute with the U.S. administration.
Trump has also used similar threats in other bilateral matters. On Monday, he warned he would block the opening of a $4.7 billion bridge connecting Detroit and Canada unless Canada agreed to enter trade negotiations.
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