The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has issued a statement criticizing reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering the decertification of Canadian-made aircraft and the imposition of a 50% import tariff on aircraft built in Canada. The union warns that such measures could severely disrupt the North American aerospace industry and jeopardize thousands of jobs in both countries.
According to IAM, the aerospace industries in Canada and the United States are highly integrated, with manufacturing and maintenance operations functioning as a single system across borders. The union highlighted Bombardier, an aviation company based in Greater Montréal, Québec, which employs around 3,000 workers in the United States and works with nearly 2,800 U.S.-based suppliers supporting thousands more American jobs. Many components for Canadian-built aircraft are manufactured in the United States, and these planes operate regularly within U.S. airspace.
IAM argues that threats to decertify Canadian aircraft or interfere with certification processes would have significant consequences for workers on both sides of the border. The organization stated that certification should focus on safety rather than be used as a political tool.
“Threats to decertify Canadian aircraft are unjustified and dangerous. Aircraft certification exists to ensure safety, not to serve as a political or economic weapon. Any attempt to revoke or cancel certifications for political reasons would almost certainly result in prolonged legal battles, creating uncertainty and instability that would directly threaten jobs, investment, and confidence in the aviation system across North America,” said IAM.
David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice President, stated: “The aerospace industries in Canada and the United States are deeply interconnected. Any attack on Canadian aircraft harms both Canadian and American workers alike. Aircraft certification must remain independent and grounded in safety, not politics. Politically motivated decertification would create instability, threaten thousands of jobs on both sides of the border, and undermine the integrity of the aviation system we all depend on.”
The union also emphasized that undermining longstanding cooperation between Canada and the United States in aerospace manufacturing could negatively affect workers, airlines, suppliers, and passengers.
Brian Bryant, IAM Union International President added: “The IAM Union represents hundreds of thousands of members in the aerospace, defense, and other manufacturing sectors in both the U.S. and Canada. Many IAM members work at companies that rely heavily on integrated supply chains between the U.S. and Canada. Any attack on this partnership will result in job losses, increased prices, and a variety of other negative impacts. The Trump administration should focus on closing the loopholes that continue to fuel the offshoring of aerospace, manufacturing, and other critical jobs across North America.”
IAM urges policymakers to keep politics out of aviation safety decisions to protect industry stability.
The IAM Union represents about 600,000 active and retired members throughout various sectors including aerospace across North America.
