Oct 21, 2026
Six weeks ago, U.S. President Donald Trump declared on social media that Bombardier was done selling planes in America. However, in an apparent course correction, he promised to look after the Montreal-based jet maker instead at a campaign stop in Kansas on Monday.
The reason for the about-face had nothing to do with the quality of Bombardier’s jets. Instead, it came down to protecting jobs — specifically American ones.
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For Canadians, the change in tone is welcome. But it’s also a reminder that one post can move a Canadian stock — and the savings tied to it — in a single trading day, especially when it’s tied to the words of the U.S. president. The harder question is how to plan around threats that may never become policy.
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Why did Trump change his mind on Bombardier?
So what prompted the reversal? Geography and a midterm election.
“NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES!” Trump proclaimed on Truth Social on Sept. 7. But during his Oct. 19 visit, he struck a very different tone after learning that Bombardier employs about 1,500 people in Wichita, BNN Bloomberg reported.
Trump told the rally he had always viewed Bombardier as a distinctly Canadian company, but now that he is fully aware of its economic presence in Kansas, he won’t hurt it: “We’ll take care of those people and the jobs,” he said.
The timing matters. Trump was campaigning for Sen. Roger Marshall, who was among the Kansas lawmakers who contacted the White House after the POTUS’s initial threat. The week before, Bombardier announced a US$50-million investment in Wichita, which is home to its U.S. and defence headquarters.
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How much did the threats move Bombardier’s stock?
Investors have now ridden this cycle twice in 2026. In January, after Trump threatened to decertify Bombardier aircraft and impose a 50% tariff on Canadian planes, the company’s stock fell 9%, according to Al Jazeera. Additionally, after the September post, shares dropped 7% in early trading.
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Neither threat became policy, with Reuters having reported that it’s not immediately clear how Trump could stop deliveries of jets already approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
After Monday’s reversal, Bombardier’s shares surged 4% on Tuesday.
How important is the aerospace sector to the Canadian economy?
The stakes are much bigger than an individual company. The Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), the national industry group, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) report that the sector contributed CA$33.1 billion to GDP and 218,700 jobs in 2025. It also exports over 70% of its output, making it especially sensitive to U.S. trade decisions and threats.
Those jobs also pay well. Average aerospace manufacturing salaries hit CA$88,000 in 2025, compared to CA$71,000 across manufacturing; Quebec holds 61% of the manufacturing jobs for this sector nationwide.
What to do now
A reversal isn’t permanent, especially when dealing with Trump’s temperamental social media posts. Rather than reactive to whatever proclamation comes next, focus on what you can control:
- Separate posts from policy: Wait for an official action, such as an executive order or a Government of Canada announcement, before making any portfolio moves
- Check your concentration: If a single stock makes up a large share of your TFSA or RRSP, consider whether that level of risk still matches your goals, both near and long term
- Look inside your funds: Canadian equity ETFs and workplace pensions may hold aerospace or trade-exposed companies you didn’t pick directly
- Avoid selling on the dip: Both 2026 threats lodged against Bombardier went unenforced
- Build a cushion if your paycheque is trade-exposed: Aerospace, auto and parts workers may want extra emergency savings while talks remain stalled amid the ongoing tit-for-tat tariff battle
- Get advice for big moves: A licensed adviser can help you weigh tax consequences before you sell inside a non-registered account
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Writer and editor based in Toronto with experience in personal finance, insurance, arts and culture and branded content.
