President Donald Trump’s latest trade salvo against Canada has sent tremors through the global aviation industry, raising questions that extend far beyond North America. By threatening to decertify all Canada-made aircraft and impose a 50% tariff on their sale into the United States, Trump has injected geopolitical uncertainty into a sector that depends fundamentally on regulatory stability and international cooperation.
While the immediate focus is on the US–Canada aviation corridor, the repercussions could eventually be felt in Africa’s skies.
A Politicisation of Aircraft Certification
In a post on Truth Social, Trump accused Canada of blocking the certification of US-made Gulfstream business jets and retaliated by announcing the decertification of Bombardier’s Global Express, along with what he termed “all aircraft made in Canada.” No executive order or legal mechanism has yet been disclosed, and aviation experts have been quick to question whether a US president even has the authority to take such action.
Historically, aircraft certification has remained the domain of technical regulators such as the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Transport Canada, insulated from political pressure. Richard Aboulafia of AeroDynamic Advisory described the move as unprecedented, warning that “using aircraft safety as a tool in a trade war is an incredibly bad idea.”
That warning resonates globally. Aviation safety is built on mutual recognition agreements between regulators. If those frameworks are weakened, confidence in certification standards worldwide could erode.
Bombardier’s Global and African Footprint
At the centre of the dispute is Bombardier, Canada’s flagship aerospace manufacturer. While best known today for its business jets, such as the Global 6000 and Global 8000, the company’s legacy CRJ regional jets remain a backbone of short-haul operations worldwide.
In Africa, Bombardier aircraft have long played a quiet but significant role in both commercial and special-mission aviation. Various CRJ100, CRJ200, CRJ700 and CRJ900 aircraft have been operated by airlines such as Air Namibia in earlier years, as well as RwandAir, Ibex Air, Air Botswana, and a range of North African and charter operators, supporting regional connectivity and thin routes. Beyond commercial service, Bombardier business jets are widely deployed across the continent for corporate travel, government and presidential fleets, medical evacuation, and humanitarian operations, particularly in regions where limited infrastructure places a premium on aircraft range, reliability, and operational flexibility.
Globally, major airlines and operators that rely on Bombardier-built aircraft include Delta Connection, United Express, American Eagle (via regional partners), as well as numerous African, Middle Eastern, and Asian carriers operating CRJ fleets acquired on the secondary market.
Why Africa Should Pay Attention
Although Trump’s threat is aimed squarely at the US market, African aviation could be affected in several indirect but meaningful ways. Should Canadian-built aircraft face barriers in the United States, lessors and operators may seek to place Bombardier jets in other regions, potentially increasing the availability of used CRJ regional jets and business aircraft in Africa at more attractive prices. Over a longer period, however, sustained trade friction could disrupt aircraft production rates, spare-parts supply chains, and long-term product support, all of which are critical considerations for African operators.
There are also regulatory implications. Many African civil aviation authorities rely on certifications issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada as reference standards. Any politicisation of aircraft certification risks undermining confidence in these systems, potentially leaving smaller regulators navigating conflicting signals or facing pressure to reassess long-standing acceptance frameworks. At the operational level, Bombardier’s deep integration into the US aerospace ecosystem, spanning thousands of suppliers and multiple facilities, means that any disruption could affect maintenance support and spare-parts availability worldwide, including in African markets where logistics are already complex and costly.
In the United States, the debate has highlighted how essential regional jets are for connecting smaller communities, a reality mirrored across Africa. Aircraft in the 50- to 90-seat category, a segment historically dominated by the CRJ, remain vital for linking secondary cities, supporting thin routes, and advancing the objectives of the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
Business Jets vs. Passenger Aircraft
Industry sources suggest the practical target of Trump’s remarks may be business jets rather than in-service commercial airliners. A White House official later indicated that aircraft already operating in the US would not be decertified. If that interpretation holds, the immediate disruption may be limited.
However, uncertainty alone can be damaging. Aircraft orders, financing decisions, and fleet planning depend on predictability, something airlines, lessors, and regulators value above almost all else.
A Cautionary Signal for Global Aviation
For now, Canadian officials are signalling calm and confidence that the dispute can be resolved. But the episode serves as a cautionary tale. Aviation is one of the most internationalised industries in the world, and its safety framework depends on trust between nations.
Whether or not Trump’s threat materialises, the controversy highlights how quickly geopolitics can intrude into the cockpit, and why African aviation stakeholders should be watching closely.
