Trump takes aim at Bombardier sales in the U.S. as Canada's tariff deadline looms

OTTAWA — Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier defended itself Monday and laid out its extensive footprint across the United States after President Donald Trump made the company the latest target of his anti-Canada campaign.

Trump's rhetoric escalated in the days leading up to a Tuesday deadline for Canada to impose retaliatory tariffs on the United States.

The president on Monday threatened to block sales from Bombardier in the United States unless the company built planes south of the Canadian border.

"If they want our Market, they must build here," Trump wrote.

In a lengthy statement later Monday, Bombardier said they already do.

"The American aerospace industry is a clear winner on trade and exports," the statement said. "Bombardier is a strong contributor to the sector, creating tens of thousands of jobs across the United States."

The company's statement said it has direct employees in more than 20 states and physical sites in Kansas, Texas, Arizona, Florida, Connecticut, Illinois, Delaware, California, Washington, D.C. and New Jersey.

It also said its supply chain includes around 2,800 American firms in 47 states, and that its aircraft utilize American-made components. Its aircraft use American-made engines and avionics. The wings on the Global 8,000, marketed as the "world's fastest business jet," are made at a Bombardier plant in Red Oak, Tex., and flight control components are made at its plant in Los Angeles.

"Bombardier values its great partnership with American companies and its U.S. employees," the statement said. "Our plan is to continue to invest in our people, our customers and the communities in which we operate across the country."

In response, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said on social media she wouldn't respond to Trump's provocations with more provocations.

"Bombardier is a source of pride for Quebec, a flagship of our economy, and a major player in our aerospace industry," she wrote in French. "Behind this company are thousands of Quebec workers who showcase our expertise around the world.

"I have reached out to Éric Martel, CEO of Bombardier, to offer him our full support."

Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran, a Republican, also said on social media he had reached out to the White House "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."

He said Bombardier employed more than 1,000 people in Wichita.