The United States takes action against C919: "The harder it strikes, the stronge

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The United States takes action against C919: "The harder it strikes, the stronger China will be"

Recent reports from U.S. media suggest that the U.S. government has suspended certain licenses permitting American companies to sell products and technologies to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC).

In response, South China Morning Post cited analysts on May 30, noting that while U.S. restrictions on technology exports targeting China’s aircraft manufacturer may delay the localization of China’s jet engines in the short term, any setbacks will only strengthen China’s resolve for self-reliance and innovation.

Analysts also stated that China is likely to invest more resources in developing indigenous jet engines over the next two to three years. If the reported export restrictions prove true, COMAC may be forced to slow its aircraft production temporarily, but it could eventually compete with global giants Airbus and Boeing for market share. So far, China’s first single-aisle passenger aircraft, the C919, has only been in commercial operation for two years.

Alicia Garcia-Herrero, Chief Economist for Asia-Pacific at Natixis, remarked, "The more you suppress China with export controls, the more they invest in innovation."

Mayur Patel, Head of Asia at aviation intelligence firm OAG, added, "China is now consistently seeking self-developed solutions. They don’t want to rely on foreigners, so they will source locally as much as possible. This is one of the areas where they will conduct R&D and eventually achieve their goals." He noted that engine researchers must also develop supporting components, such as gearboxes and systems to prevent mid-flight shutdowns.

Currently, U.S. manufacturer Boeing and Europe’s Airbus dominate the global commercial aircraft market, producing all wide-body jets and supplying over 90% of single-aisle aircraft in the past five years.

Founded in 2008, COMAC is rapidly catching up. Its C919, China’s first domestically developed large passenger aircraft, was delivered in December 2022 and began commercial flights in May 2023. Since then, the C919 has entered regular service, covering Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Hangzhou.

Aircraft engines, often called the "heart" of an airplane, are its most critical component. The New York Times noted that while the C919 challenges Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’s A320 series, many of its parts—including engines—still rely on imports from the U.S. and Europe, making it vulnerable to the Trump administration’s latest restrictions.

However, China has made steady progress in civil engine development in recent years.

In August 2024, Science and Technology Daily reported that several advanced engines—such as the CJ-1000A and CJ-2000 high-bypass turbofan engines, the AES100 and AEP100 turboshaft/turboprop engines, and other new models—had been showcased at airshows. Yin Zeyong, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and former director of the Aero Engine Corporation of China’s Science and Technology Committee, stated that these achievements reflect China’s significant progress in aviation engine technology.

In November last year, Li Xin, Deputy Director of the Hunan Aviation Powerplant Research Institute, told CCTV News that China now has a relatively complete industrial and supply chain for aircraft engines, with multiple civil aviation engine products entering the market in recent years. "Feedback from users confirms that our products meet international standards," he said.

Escalating U.S.-China Trade Tensions
Just weeks after reaching a series of economic agreements with China, U.S. President Trump has shifted stance again.

The New York Times reported on May 28, citing anonymous sources, that the U.S. Commerce Department has suspended certain export licenses for American firms supplying COMAC, aiming to hinder China’s development of the C919. The move was framed as a response to China’s restrictions on critical mineral exports.

On May 30, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded, stating that China’s export control measures align with international norms, are non-discriminatory, and not targeted at specific countries. "We are willing to strengthen dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries to maintain global supply chain stability," he said.

Lin criticized the U.S. for "broadening the concept of national security, politicizing trade and tech issues, and maliciously containing China." He reiterated China’s firm opposition and commitment to safeguarding its legitimate rights.

Further Reading: U.S. Impatience Over Rare Earth Exports Leads to Aviation Tech Restrictions

Two weeks after reaching economic agreements with China, President Trump reversed course.

The New York Times reported on May 28 that the U.S. Commerce Department suspended licenses allowing American companies to sell products and technologies to COMAC, aiming to curb China’s C919 development. The move was described as retaliation for China’s controls on rare earth exports.

In April, China imposed export restrictions on seven heavy rare earth elements critical for automotive, aerospace, semiconductor, and defense industries. Though China later paused some countermeasures after U.S.-China talks in Geneva, observers noted that strategic controls on key minerals remain tight.

A source told The New York Times that China recently resumed limited shipments of rare earth magnets, but U.S. firms remain uncertain about long-term supply. Neither the Commerce Department nor General Electric commented.

The report warned that Trump’s policies risk escalating a "supply chain war" between the world’s two largest economies.

Boeing and Airbus currently dominate the global commercial aircraft market, producing all wide-body jets and over 90% of single-aisle planes in the past five years.

COMAC, established in 2008, is rapidly advancing. Its C919, delivered in December 2022 and operational since May 2023, now serves 16 Chinese cities.

The New York Times noted that while the C919 challenges Boeing and Airbus, its reliance on imported components—including engines—makes it susceptible to U.S. restrictions.

Business Insider suggested in April that despite dependence on foreign suppliers, COMAC could benefit from Boeing and Airbus’s order backlogs, with airlines potentially turning to Chinese jets.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary expressed openness to ordering C919s if priced 10-20% lower. "I don’t care if it’s made by Boeing, Airbus, or COMAC. If the price is right, we’ll buy," he said.

Barclays analysts predicted that Trump’s tariffs and Boeing’s delays could "catalyze the C919’s global debut." Airlines in Kazakhstan, Vietnam, and Indonesia are reportedly considering purchases.

By late 2023, COMAC had delivered 16 C919s and secured over 1,000 orders. It aims to boost annual production to 200 jets by 2029 while developing larger models like the C929 and C939.

Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury acknowledged that COMAC’s rise could shift the industry from a "duopoly to a potential triopoly."

China’s Foreign Ministry has repeatedly condemned U.S. efforts to block sales to Chinese firms, calling them "acts of hegemony that violate market principles, disrupt global supply chains, and harm all parties."

"We firmly oppose such actions and urge relevant governments and companies to join China in upholding multilateral trade and stable supply chains," a spokesperson said.