War of the Skies: Mach 0.95 vs 25% Tariffs. Can Bombardier Survive?

Aviation Eagle | Date: January 31, 2026

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Business aviation has always soared above the turbulence of terrestrial politics, but today the wall rising between Washington and Ottawa threatens to stall the world’s fastest jet manufacturer. With the threat of 25% tariffs on all Canadian products, we have officially entered a War of the Skies where victory isn't won in a wind tunnel, but in the halls of trade diplomacy.

The Impact of the War of the Skies on the Global 8000

Just as Bombardier celebrates the certification of the Global 8000 as the fastest and longest-range civil jet ever built—capable of reaching Mach 0.95—geopolitical reality is imposing an unexpected speed limit.

A 25% tariff would transform a $78 million investment into an outlay of nearly $100 million. For a corporate buyer based in the United States (the market that absorbs over 60% of global production), the choice between a Bombardier and a domestic competitor will no longer be based on performance, but on the balance sheet. In this War of the Skies, engineering excellence risks being shot down by customs bureaucracy.

Gulfstream: The Silent Beneficiary of the Conflict

In Savannah, Georgia, Gulfstream Aerospace is watching the situation from a position of absolute strength. Its flagship, the G700, despite having slightly lower maximum speed specifications than the Global 8000, would suddenly become the most logical and economical option for the American market.

Should the War of the Skies intensify:

• Backlog Erosion: Bombardier could face massive order cancellations in favor of Gulfstream to avoid fiscal uncertainty.

• Price War: The Canadian manufacturer would be forced to slash margins drastically to remain competitive, jeopardizing future R&D investments.

  
  

The "Mexico Move": A Risky Evasive Maneuver

Bombardier possesses significant infrastructure in Querétaro, Mexico. The idea of moving Final Assembly Lines (FAL) out of Canada to "nationalize" the product as Mexican and evade tariffs is a complex intercept course. However, with the U.S. threatening similar tariffs toward Mexico, this strategy risks becoming a logistical trap.

Conclusion:

The technical superiority of the Global 8000 is indisputable, but aviation is an interconnected global ecosystem. If Bombardier fails to negotiate an exemption based on its supply chain (which employs thousands of workers within the U.S. itself), the risk of a "crash landing" for the Canadian industry in this War of the Skies is real.