Bombardier to Invest $270 Million in U.S. Expansion as Trump Softens Stance — 2nd Update

By Adriano Marchese

Bombardier plans to invest $270 million to expand its American infrastructure footprint and hire 800 U.S. workers, days after President Trump appeared to soften his rhetoric against the Montreal-based business-jet maker.

The expansion includes a significant step-up in operations in Texas, opening a new service center in Indiana, building a learning hub in Kansas, as well as launching additional infrastructure projects in Connecticut.

In a Truth Social post at 11:41 P.M. Thursday, hours before Bombardier's official announcement, Trump praised Bombardier's plans, stating "Bombardier is investing 270 MILLION DOLLARS, creating THOUSANDS of American Jobs in Kansas, Texas, and Indiana."

Bombardier's expansion will directly add 800 U.S. jobs, 300 by way of new projects and 500 through active recruitment, it said on Friday.

The company estimates it has spent $2.8 billion across its U.S. supply chain in 2025 and expects its new hiring initiative to push total direct and indirect American jobs supported by its operations beyond 33,000, with employment presence across more than 20 states.

The capital push comes a few days after Trump made an apparent reference to the Canadian company at a recent rally.

"I'm going to be helping a certain air company get themselves straightened away," he said to the crowd, after he learned it has significant domestic operations.

Bombardier has repeatedly found itself in the crosshairs during the escalating trade tensions between the Trump administration and Canada.

The latest tensions began after an earlier Trump post on Truth Social last month when he said Bombardier was treating the U.S. like a "piggybank," while taking advantage of U.S. buyers, airports, and infrastructure.

"NO MORE SELLING BOMBARDIER IN THE UNITED STATES! Their products aren't good enough!" Trump wrote on Labor Day, urging followers to "Buy American. Fly on American airliners."

Bombardier responded by highlighting its deep U.S. footprint, noting that its jets rely heavily on American-made components such as engines, avionics and other critical aircraft systems. The U.S. is also Bombardier's single largest market for business jets, generating a substantial portion of its overall revenues.

As part of its $270 million U.S. initiative--which includes $50 million dedicated to Kansas--Bombardier recently inaugurated a learning center in Wichita, a new North American hub for learning, developing aerospace talent, enhancing capabilities and supporting the long-term growth of its local operations.

In Fort Wayne, Ind., Bombardier will open its roughly 64,500-square-foot service facility in November, which is expected to accommodate up to six business jets for routine maintenance, avionics installations and emergency repair support.

The company also plans to launch additional footprint-expansion projects in Dallas, Texas and Connecticut.

Write to Adriano Marchese at adriano.marchese@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 23, 2026 11:36 ET (15:36 GMT)