President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to block US sales of Canadian plane manufacturer Bombardier, complaining of “unjust and unfair” bilateral trade provisions as he escalates a tariff war between the countries.
The angry social media post marks the second stunning potential move by the US leader this year against the manufacturer, which has thousands of its aircraft currently operating in US airlines’ domestic fleets.
“No more selling Bombardier in the United States!” Trump posted in all caps on his Truth Social platform, complaining of Canada’s “completely unjust and unfair” trade practices, but not specifying how he would achieve a sales halt.
“If they want our Market, they must build here and stop treating America like a ‘piggybank.’”
“Canada blocks our GREAT American Banks, and Companies” from doing business there, Trump added. “That Era is OVER!”
Back in January Trump, furious over what he said was Canada’s refusal to grant certification to new models of US-made Gulfstream jets, threatened to decertify Bombardier planes in the United States and impose a 50-percent tariff on Canadian aircraft.
The move apparently never transpired. But Trump’s social media post Monday signaled continued acrimony over Bombardier amid a broiling bilateral tariff fight.
Last month, as trade negotiations collapsed, Trump slapped 50-percent tariffs on some $20 billion worth of Canadian products ranging from hockey sticks to cement.
Canada announced it is imposing retaliatory tariffs on a similar amount of US products beginning early Tuesday.
The duties of 15 percent, 25 percent and 50 percent will apply to imports from the United States covering steel and aluminum products as well as dairy goods like cheese.
AFP
