Customs dispute: USA blocks aircraft engines for C919 jet
In the midst of the trade dispute, the US is freezing engine deliveries for China's flagship C919 jet - a setback for Beijing's rise to aviation power.
The trade war between the US and China is taking a new turn, with the US taking aim at one of the symbols of China's rise: the C919, the country's first modern commercial aircraft. The United States has stopped exporting CFM LEAP-1C engines to the Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC. This decision, which at first glance appears to be a reaction to China's export restrictions on rare earths, has a deeper, less obvious background: the Pentagon's classification of COMAC as a "military contractor".
US export ban hits C919 hard
The COMAC C919 is a medium-haul aircraft designed to compete with the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. Since its maiden flight in 2017 and the start of commercial operations in May 2023, the C919 has been in operation, with a capacity for up to 168 passengers. The aircraft is a key part of China's strategy to play an independent role in the global aviation industry.
However, the C919 relies heavily on foreign technology: 85% of the parts come from international suppliers, with almost half coming from the USA. These include the LEAP-1C engines from CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran.
The sudden suspension of export licenses by the US Department of Commerce poses a dilemma for COMAC. With only 18 aircraft in operation and ambitious plans to increase production to 50 jets per year this year and over 120 by 2028, access to these engines is essential. Without them, there is a risk of production delays that could severely impact China's dream of becoming a global aviation power.
Pentagon classifies COMAC as a military partner
The US decision is officially justified by China's export restrictions on rare earths, but there are other motives. In January, the Pentagon classified COMAC as a company associated with the People's Liberation Army (PLA). This classification prohibits US companies and individuals from investing in COMAC and underscores US security concerns. In particular, the US fears that Chinese engineers could analyze Western technologies such as the LEAP-1C engines and use them for military purposes.
Beijing reacts with harsh criticism
The Chinese government reacted sharply. A spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington stated that China firmly rejects the "overstretching of the concept of national security" and the "malicious suppression" by the USA. But words alone will not solve the problem. COMAC faces the challenge of reducing its dependence on Western suppliers. The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has been working for years on its own engine, the CJ-1000, which is intended to replace the LEAP-1C. In March, the South China Morning Post reported that development was progressing "better than expected". Nevertheless, it remains unclear when this engine will be ready for the market. This could still take years.
Lack of infrastructure slows expansion
The US decision to stop engine exports to COMAC is hampering the Chinese aircraft manufacturer in the short term and strengthening Boeing's position. In the long term, however, it will force China to accelerate the development of its own engine technologies such as the CJ-1000. Nevertheless, COMAC's influence remains manageable. The planned increase in production to 50 C919 jets this year is not only on shaky ground due to the engine problems. Technically, the C919 lags behind Airbus and Boeing in terms of efficiency. In addition, a reliable maintenance network and robust spare parts logistics are lacking for successful internationalization - both areas in which COMAC still has a lot of catching up to do.