Trump’s Call for Bombardier Ban Draws Opposition

Support for Bombardier and policies that encourage trade continues to flow in after President Trump called for a ban on the sale of the Montreal-headquartered company’s products unless they are produced in the U.S. How such a ban could take place remains unclear. Bombardier immediately responded with a statement highlighting that it employs thousands of workers throughout the U.S.

The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) said it was “firmly opposed” to a ban on Bombardier products. “The IAM Union represents thousands of highly skilled Bombardier workers in the United States and Canada who have built good, family-sustaining careers producing some of the world’s most advanced aircraft. Thousands more IAM Union members and other workers across the United States and Canada depend on Bombardier’s extensive aerospace supply chain.”

Noting that trade restrictions are counterproductive and undermine the stability of the industry, IAM added: “We continue to support common-sense trade policies that protect these good jobs, strengthen the deeply integrated North American aerospace industry, and allow our members to build world-class aircraft and export them around the globe.” 

While not specifically referencing Bombardier, NBAA also reiterated its support yesterday for trade policies that boost U.S. aviation while also fostering manufacturing and job creation. “Civil aviation relies on an integrated global supply chain that directly powers American manufacturing,” the association said. “For 45 years, zero-tariff policies have enabled U.S. aerospace to maintain a dominant trade surplus.”

A delegation of Kansas Republican lawmakers—including U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall, along with Rep. Ron Estes—vowed to work to ensure Bombardier can continue to grow.

“Wichita has long been at the forefront of global aerospace, and Bombardier’s impact locally plays a critical role in our region’s dominance,” Estes said in response to Trump’s call. “Beyond the talented men and women that work there, Bombardier supports an extensive American supply chain, boasts maintenance and repair capabilities across the U.S., and is trusted by our military for critical national security missions.”

He added that he would advocate for policies to keep the manufacturing jobs in Kansas. “Today’s North American aerospace supply chain is deeply integrated, which is why I have long advocated for aircraft and aviation parts to be exempted from all tariffs. I’m continuing to work with the Trump Administration to ensure Kansas has a seat at the table for these important negotiations.”

Marshall stated: “I’m going to fight to keep Bombardier’s over 1,200 Kansas jobs. I’ve already taken that concern inside the Oval Office.” However, he did agree with Trump that the U.S. accounts for more than half of Bombardier’s sales. “If that’s the market, more of those planes should be built here. Wichita has one of the nation’s top skilled manufacturing workforces and is a leader in aerospace manufacturing…Bombardier is obligated to grow that footprint in Kansas again.”

Moran further weighed in: “I reached out to the Trump Administration to make certain the president is aware of the significant contributions of Bombardier to Kansas and the importance of its presence in Wichita to many Kansas workers at Bombardier and in the Bombardier supply chain.”