GOP Sen. Urges Trump: Protect Bombardier's Kansas Ops

Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., saidhe contacted the Trump administration after President Donald Trump threatened to block Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier from selling planes in the United States unless it builds them domestically. "The presence of Bombardier in Wichita supports a local workforce of more than a thousand employees, who contribute their talent and expertise to our nation's defense and aerospace capabilities," Moran posted on X Monday evening. "This afternoon, 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," he continued. "I will continue working to see that Bombardier's manufacturing operations not only remain in Kansas but continue to grow and create American jobs," wrote Moran. "Kansas is home to a hardworking, skilled workforce, and I will continue welcoming leaders in aircraft and defense manufacturing to do business here in the Air Capital of the World," he added. Moran's intervention came after Trump said Monday that Bombardier should no longer be permitted to sell its aircraft in the U.S. —part of an escalating trade dispute between Washington and Ottawa. Bombardier has a substantial U.S. footprint, including its U.S. headquarters and Bombardier Defense operations in Wichita. The company employs about 1,400 people in the city, according to the Wichita Business Journal. "NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES! Their products aren't good enough!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Over 50% of their revenue comes from the United States. They live off American Buyers, American Companies, American Airports, and American Service," he added. "All while Canada blocks our GREAT American Banks, and Companies, throughout the U.S.A. They even blocked Gulfstream Aerospace from doing business in Canada. Completely unjust and unfair!" Trump continued. "That Era is OVER! If they want our Market, they must build here, and stop treating America like a 'piggybank,' [sic]" he wrote. "BUY AMERICAN. FLY ON AMERICAN AIRLINERS. ENJOY AMERICAN LIQUOR AND BEVERAGES. SAIL ON LAKE AMERICA. AMERICA FIRST!"he added. Trump's demand that Bombardier "build here" comes despite the Canadian company already maintaining significant operations in the United States. Bombardier says its U.S. supply chain includes roughly 2,800 companies across 47 states, while its Wichita operation includes Bombardier Defense, which modifies aircraft for specialized missions. Trump's threat also came just hours before Canadian retaliatory tariffs on roughly $20 billion in U.S. goods took effect Tuesday. The measures, ranging from 15% to 50%, followed the Trump administration's imposition of 50% tariffs on a range of Canadian products after U.S.-Canada trade negotiations broke down. The White House has not publicly detailed how Trump would implement a prohibition on Bombardier sales or what steps it could take against aircraft already certified by the Federal Aviation Administration. © 2026 Newsmax. All rights reserved.