The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) has issued a statement criticizing reports that U.S. President Donald Trump is considering decertifying Canadian-made aircraft and imposing a 50% import tariff on aircraft produced in Canada. The union warned that such measures would disrupt the North American aerospace industry and endanger thousands of jobs in both countries.
IAM emphasized the close integration between the U.S. and Canadian aerospace sectors, noting that manufacturing and maintenance operations function as a unified ecosystem across North America. The union highlighted Bombardier as an example, pointing out that the company employs about 3,000 workers at its facilities in the United States and depends on nearly 2,800 U.S.-based suppliers, which support additional American jobs. Many components for Canadian-built aircraft are made in the United States, with these planes operating regularly within U.S. airspace to serve airlines and regional economies.
IAM stated that using certification as a political tool could lead to legal disputes, uncertainty for workers and businesses, and broader instability throughout the aviation system. The union argued that politicizing aircraft certification could undermine global safety standards.
David Chartrand, IAM Canadian General Vice President, said: “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 IAM also referenced longstanding cooperation between Canada and the United States in aerospace manufacturing, oversight, and innovation.
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.”
The union called for decision-makers to avoid involving politics in aviation safety matters to protect jobs dependent on established certification systems.
IAM is one of North America’s largest industrial trade unions with about 600,000 active and retired members working across multiple industries including aerospace.
