Bombardier stock sinks after Trump threatens to shut Canadian jet maker out of US
The Montreal-based manufacturer’s stock opened down 6.4% in Toronto before clawing back some of the losses.
Bombardier Stock Plummets After Trump Threatens to Bar Canadian Jet Maker From U.S. Market
Shares of Bombardier Inc., the Montreal‑based business‑jet producer, fell sharply on Tuesday following a public warning from President Donald Trump that the company could be excluded from the United States unless it begins manufacturing its aircraft on American soil. The stock opened on the Toronto exchange down 6.4 percent before clawing back some of the loss, later trading about 3.7 percent lower at roughly C$219, which translates to about $158.50 in U.S. dollars.
President’s Warning
President Trump posted a message on social media stating, “If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a ‘piggybank’.” The comment signaled a potential policy shift that could jeopardize Bombardier’s access to the lucrative U.S. commercial‑aviation market. Analysts noted that any move to restrict the firm could also reverberate through its extensive U.S. footprint, which includes roughly 3,500 employees, 2,800 suppliers and more than $2.5 billion in annual spending with American companies.
Ongoing U.s. Expansion
Despite the presidential admonition, Bombardier has continued to broaden its presence on the continent. In 2025 the company opened a component‑manufacturing facility in Moorpark, California, covering nearly 46,000 square feet. Earlier this year it completed the acquisition of Velocity Maintenance Solutions, adding a 35,000‑square‑foot hangar in Delaware and a fleet of 14 mobile repair trucks to its service network. The Wichita, Kansas site, once the home of the Learjet line that ceased production in 2022, was rebranded as the firm’s U.S. headquarters and now houses Bombardier Defense, focusing on special‑mission aircraft, engineering services and customer support.
Pentagon Contract
Bombardier’s relationship with the U.S. defense establishment remains a key part of its business. Through the Air Force’s Battlefield Airborne Communications Node program, the company’s American subsidiary secured a contract valued at up to $464.8 million. The agreement calls for the conversion of as many as six Global 6000 jets into E‑11A communications platforms for the Department of Defense.
Company Response
In a statement released after the President’s remarks, Bombardier affirmed its commitment to continue investing in its U.S. operations. “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, emphasizing that the threat would not alter its growth strategy.
Local Economic Impact
The potential restriction carries weight for the communities that host Bombardier facilities. Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas reported that more than 1,000 workers in the state are employed by the company. In Red Oak, Texas, the plant disclosed a headcount of over 600 employees in a 2021 filing. Moran said he reached out to the Trump administration to underscore Bombardier’s importance to Kansas’s economy and to argue against any punitive measures.
The unfolding situation highlights the tension between political pressure and the company’s long‑term investment plans in North America. As the market watches, Bombardier’s next steps will determine whether it can reconcile U.S. policy demands with its existing manufacturing and defense commitments.
Source: nypost.com · 2026-09-08