Canadian aircraft manufacturer Bombardier has announced plans to hire 500 new workers in the United States despite threats by US President Donald Trump to restrict the company’s access to the American market.
The company said on Wednesday that it was actively recruiting for 500 positions across the US. The openings include newly created jobs, retirement replacements and positions to fill vacancies caused by staff turnover.
Bombardier currently employs more than 3,500 people in the United States.
The company said some of the new workers would be employed at its new service centre in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which is expected to begin operations in mid-November.
Trump had earlier criticised Bombardier and threatened to block sales of its aircraft in the US unless the Canadian company increased its manufacturing presence in America.
“If they want our market, they must build here,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform.
Bombardier has defended its contribution to the US economy, saying it already manufactures several components in the country, including aircraft wings in Texas and flight-control components in California.
The company also operates service centres in five other US states and spends about $2.5 billion annually with American suppliers.
Trump’s comments have also drawn criticism from members of his Republican Party. Kansas Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall have expressed concern that restrictions on Bombardier could threaten jobs in their state, where the company has its US headquarters.
The dispute comes amid worsening trade tensions between the United States and Canada. Canada recently imposed retaliatory tariffs on hundreds of US products worth about $20 billion after the Trump administration introduced a 50 percent tariff on Canadian goods.
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