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A private jet sits on a runway in Scotland. Illustrative image.
Trump Drops Threat to Block Bombardier, Citing Kansas Jobs
WASHINGTON/MONTREAL — October 20, 2026
U.S. President Donald Trump has stepped back from threats to block Canadian aircraft maker Bombardier from the American market, saying he wants to protect the company's workers and jobs in Kansas.
Trump's earlier threats had raised concerns in Wichita, where Bombardier employs about 1,500 people. The issue also became politically sensitive for Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who is seeking re-election in a competitive race and had joined other Kansas lawmakers in contacting the White House.
“We're going to take care of Bombardier,” Trump told 12 News in Kansas, pointing to Marshall's involvement. At a rally on Monday, he also said he would help the company after learning more about its operations in the United States.
Trump said he had previously viewed Bombardier as a Canadian company but now recognized its presence in Kansas. He added that he did not want to harm the company's local workforce.
Bombardier has a substantial U.S. operation, including its headquarters in Kansas. The company acquired Learjet in 1990 and now employs about 3,500 people across the United States, with more than 40% of those workers based in Wichita.
The company has recently expanded its commitments in Kansas. It announced a $50 million investment in Wichita last week and has also said it plans to open a facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Bombardier has announced a North American Learning Center in Kansas and said its workforce in the state is growing.
Trump's change in tone follows concerns raised by Kansas officials after he threatened in September to prevent Bombardier from operating in the U.S. market. The potential restrictions had become an issue for Marshall, whose state relies on jobs connected to the aircraft industry.
Bombardier shares rose 4% on Tuesday after Trump's comments. The White House declined to comment separately, directing questions to the president's television interview.
The dispute comes amid wider trade tensions between Washington and Ottawa. The United States imposed tariffs on about $20 billion worth of Canadian goods in August after several rounds of negotiations failed. Canada responded with tariffs on U.S. products in early September.
The Trump administration later announced import restrictions on a range of Canadian alcoholic beverages, motorcycles and dairy products, effective September 29. Bombardier was not included in those measures.
There had also been an earlier dispute over aircraft certification. In February, Trump threatened to withdraw certification for Bombardier aircraft during a disagreement involving U.S. rival Gulfstream Aerospace. That threat did not take effect, and Canada's aviation regulator ultimately approved the American-made jets involved in the dispute.
Bombardier aircraft have already received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, raising questions about how a potential ban on deliveries to American customers could be implemented. Trump's latest comments suggest that protecting U.S. jobs has become an important consideration in his approach to the company.
