Canadian regulator Transport Canada has issued flightworthiness certificates for the two newest Gulfstream business jet models – the G700 (GVIII-700) and G800 (GVIII-800). The decision was made on Monday and potentially ends a trade dispute with Washington. Previously, US President Donald Trump had complained about delays in approving these aircraft and threatened to impose retaliatory tariffs.

Certification of All Models

Transport Canada approved the largest Gulfstream models, the G700 and G800, for flight, meaning all newer aircraft from this brand now have certificates.

Pressure from the Trump Administration

The decision came weeks after complaints from the US President, who accused Canada of deliberately slowing down the process and threatened retaliatory measures.

End of Trade Dispute

The certification is expected to potentially defuse the threat of a new trade conflict between the neighbors and pave the way for aircraft sales.

The Canadian agency Transport Canada issued flightworthiness certificates on Monday for two flagship business jet models produced by the American company Gulfstream – the G700 and G800. This decision, confirmed by a government document, is crucial for ending trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington. The dispute had been escalating for several weeks after US President Donald Trump publicly criticized the Canadian regulator for its slow pace of approval procedures. Trade relations between the USA and Canada are governed by the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement), which replaced the NAFTA agreement in 2020. Despite close economic cooperation, the countries regularly engage in tariff disputes, particularly in the steel, lumber, and agricultural sectors. Aviation certification procedures, conducted by national agencies like the FAA in the USA or Transport Canada, are key to allowing new aircraft into service. As reported by Reuters, the head of the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had expressed expectations as recently as early February that Canada would soon approve the aircraft. The threat of the Trump administration imposing retaliatory tariffs or other measures was real, giving the matter an urgent character. The G700 and G800 jets, also designated as GVIII-700 and GVIII-800, are the largest and most advanced aircraft in the portfolio of Gulfstream, which is owned by the conglomerate General Dynamics. Their certification in Canada is essential for corporate and private clients who wish to operate these aircraft in the country's airspace. „The Canadians have been deliberately slow-rolling approval of our great Gulfstream jets. If this doesn't change, we will look at all options, including tariffs.” — US President Donald Trump The Transport Canada decision means that all newer Gulfstream models now have the necessary permits. The G500 (GVI) model, among others, had been certified earlier. The case highlighted the sensitivity of cross-border regulatory cooperation to political pressure. As Bloomberg points out, the certificates were issued just weeks after public threats from the White House, suggesting Ottawa decided to quickly defuse a conflict that could have escalated into a broader trade war.

Mentioned People

  • Donald Trump — President of the United States, who criticized certification delays and threatened tariff retaliation.