President Trump announced Wednesday that the U.S. government is grounding Boeing 737 MAX 8 and MAX 9 passenger jets following two deadly recent crashes.

"Any plane currently in the air will go to its destination and there after be grounded until further notice," Trump said at the White House.

"Planes that are in the air will be grounded, if they're the 737 MAX, will be grounded upon landing at their destination. Pilots have been notified," he added. "The safety of the American people, and all people is our paramount concern."

Many foreign countries, including Canada, grounded the Boeing 737 MAX 8 following the Sunday crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, killing 157 people. The crash followed the October crash of Lion Air Flight 610 in Indonesia, killing 189, which involved another Boeing 737 MAX 8.

Some pilots complained about training to operate the Boeing 737 MAX 8, and about the nose dipping during takeoff.

The grounding decision will affect roughly 74 aircraft in the U.S., including 34 operated by Southwest Airlines and 24 by American Airlines.

Trump offered his condolences to crash victims, saying "our hearts go out to all of those who lost loved ones, to their friends, their families," while offering support for the major U.S. plane-maker.

"It's a terrible, terrible thing. Boeing is an incredible company. They are working very, very hard right now and hopefully they'll very quickly come up with the answer," Trump said.