President Donald Trump has clipped the wings of Chinese aircraft company COMAC by halting the sale of critical engines, avionics and other necessities for its flagship C919 single-aisle airliner. After years of delay, the aircraft went into service in 2023 and has been ordered by most major Chinese airlines. COMAC also wants to certify the plane in the rest of the world and compete with Boeing and Airbus and the New York Times says Trump imposed the restrictions to protect Boeing. The restrictions also came shortly after China stopped exports of critical minerals to the U.S.
The C919 is now a relic of an earlier time when the U.S. and China were expanding trade opportunities. Aerospace companies, particularly engine makers, weren’t keen on sharing their tech with China, but they were willing to sell them finished products. The result was about 40% of the plane consists of parts and components made in the U.S. and other Western countries. Of those, the engines, made by LEAP International, a 50-50 partnership between GE and France’s Safran, are the most critical. China has not yet built a modern efficient airliner engine.
Some analysts claim the C919 owes a lot more than engines and panel to Western know-how. “Almost the entire makeup of the C919 is stolen technology from numerous aviation and technology industries from around the world,” said William R. Evanina, a former director of the United States National Counterintelligence and Security Center, said before Congress a few years ago. A Chinese official called the export restrictions “a malicious blockade and suppression of China” and said his country would fight them.
When you have a technology blockade someone’ going to overcome it. Better it’s a partner than a competitor. The technology will emerge whether anyone wants it or not. Up here we need 2 dozen waterbombers that China has developed. It’s time to put Bravo Sierra aside and get on with it. A stalemate is just that. We need to accommodate everyone’s needs and negotiate acceptable resolutions.
Wait until Trump finds out Cirrus, Continental, and Mooney is owned by the Chinese. That should make Duluth, Grand Forks, and Kerrville voters/US citizens happy that they will not be great again. Oh yeah, Nashville too when Cirrus’s new delivery center will not be great again. GE has enough dough to “change” Trump’s mind. Not so much with GA though. And just think about all those shipping containers that will now have to be inspected as a result of Ukraine’s innovative attack. That should help supply chain issues… right?
Well, this ban should put the C919 in a real pickle. Could it be too late? Maybe. China already scooped up plenty, blueprints, know-how, and hands-on experience. The ban slows them down, but it can’t undo what’s already out the door. Still, the hardest tech can’t be copied overnight. Give the CCP another 10–15 years and they might close the gap. For now, locking down what’s left is the only way to keep the U.S. in front, even if it’s late. On this, Mr. Evanina continues to be correct.
As much as I enjoyed, respected, studied – and even miss – Paul B’s writing, I vehemently disagreed with his position that it was OK that China was gobbling up all of our GA manufacturers. I distinctly remember him having the same liberal views as many here and now look where we are. There is no equilibrium with those people; they want to dominate us. Wake up, people.
As far as I’m concerned, it’s time to shut the Chinese down 100% until they join the league of Nations in a rational and equal way vs an adversarial way. It’s one thing to be a partner but they ain’t. They want to crush the US and become the world’s only superpower in every area. IF they keep hollowing out our industrial base, what will be left here? Wanna know … go drive thru Gary, IN or Detroit, MI while you earn a living working at a burger joint or some other service industry. We cannot compete with a Country with a billion people willing to work for peanuts. I have purchased things that’re large and heavy and complex yet cost so little – even considering shipping them here – that it defies logic. If we get ‘into it’ with these people because of their political class aims, we will live to regret letting them get both feet and an arm in our ‘door.’ Theft of IP makes it even worse. One of these days, shipping containers will open up in LA and Oakland, et al, and a bunch of drones that look like Cirrus’ will start attacking us … mark my words.
OH … and if Tom needs some water bombers … build 'em yourself. You’ll be rich. Besides, I’d bet if you show up with enough ‘jingle,’ you can fly as many as you want home. Stop flapping your jaws and make it happen if it’s that important to you.
Now then, I have to go out and check my PV solar panels to make sure their inverters haven’t been remotely ordered to shut them down …
A bit little a whee- lot too late…
The big sell-off has long happened.
You know I really get tired of hearing about the blight of the rust belt or coal miners in WV. In my career in aviation I have had to move five times in order to keep working in it and in some cases starting over again at the bottom of a seniority list. There is no wall around Flint Michigan. If the jobs dry up there you have the option to pack up and go somewhere else for employment. No one owes you a job, companies go bankrupt, merge with other companies and sometimes just find cheaper ways to make their products and that’s just a fact of life in America.
Up here we’re trying to recover from a lost decade of decline and indifference. That’s why we re-elected the same players and a new guy. We do build water bombers but not fast enough or enough of them–hopefully that’ll change as we burn. Regarding flapping jaws…just stay away from mirrors.
We don’t need China, they need us.
@jjbaker The situation may not be hopeless, but it’s in a deep hole, six decades deep. The U.S. can still lead in innovation, but competing in the manufacturing of things will be an uphill battle unless there’s a real, long-term commitment to bring those skills and industries back. The longer it takes to act, the tougher it’s going to get, as most of the factories and skills are gone and rebuilding them will take years while rivals keep growing stronger. There’s no quick fix for something that took decades to mess up. The clock is ticking…
There is a quick fix. It’s called working your ass off 24-7. Most people have forgotten, or, have never known how that works. It’s called getting your head out of your ass and putting your nose to the grind stone. It can be done. It must be done. That being said it does take a concerted, focused effort. The right players are in place to get it started. However, more are needed to make an undeniable statement. We will see what the U.S. is really made of.
Are you involved in a sleep study, or a metabolic study, where you have to collect EVERYTHING? That’s the only way anyone works 24-7, at least as far as i know.
Let’s be real, okay?
To Grasshopper:
How Long to Narrow the U.S.-vs.-Overseas Manufacturing Cost Gap?
If the U.S. started today with real investment and policy, you might see a much narrower gap in a decade or two. However, there are no quick fixes. This is a long game, and it’ll take real commitment from every side: government, industry, and labor.
It’s a metaphor, O.K. What’s being said is to put in 100% daily, maybe even a bit more if you can stomach the KoolAid.
Excuses, excuses, it’s what I am hearing. You’ve dug your own grave. With that attitude it’s probably too late. Explain your actions, or, lack there of to your grand children. The attitude is so weak, so pathetic.
Certainly you are an expert, sir, on these matters? No, I replied to no one in particular, but upon rising from my bed at the Evanston Holiday Inn Express last night it might behoove students of opinion (or is it The Onion) to pay close attention to what came bursting forth from my mind - man, I gotta pee!!
Business concluded, and now mentally alert, I found this very interesting summary of the government assisted/helped/demanded/coerced drive to return manufacturing to the American workers - all of whom are anxiously waiting in prepared anticipation for the return and opportunity to work jobs sewing shirts and assembling plastic parts.
With AvWeb’s permission and if one has the time this viewpoint is available to read…
America Underestimates the Difficulty of Bringing Manufacturing Back — Molson Hart
I intend to go now in a nostalgic stroll and visit the old terminal and grounds of the once fantastic Meigs Field. Will its return be part of Making America Great Again?
As a drawer of water and a hewer of wood I must say an excellent read. The only ones willing to sew shirts will be the folks who’ll give up almost anything short of their life to be where we are…damn sad situation. The start of recovery will be in grade school teaching the basics of literacy, mathematics, sciences and civics. This will be a generational task–not an overnight fix. Maybe the Barefoot doctors had it right–they were supported by their patients who could work while they were well but doctors were unpaid when their patients were sick. An incentive to keep everyone working!
Right on, Dave. That link you shared, “America Underestimates the Difficulty of Bringing Manufacturing Back” by Molson Hart, nails it. Folks talk about reshoring like it’s just flipping a switch. Hart lays out how deep the skills gap is, how complex the supply chains have become, and how long it’ll take to rebuild what we let erode over decades. Bringing jobs back is like racing against countries that pay workers a fraction of what we do and don’t have to deal with all the red tape and political swings.
Yeah, Raf, I’m always thankful there are people out there who will share their hard work and expertise online as Mr. Hart did, or some YouTube handyman showing whomever needs the info how to do almost anything. Some of the best of what the internet has to offer.
Harts research was eye-opening for me.
Hey Communist China, make your own engine or hang a Russian engine on it.
Good idea. The engine makers need to open up plants in Communist China and show them how to manufacture engines so they can export them.
Back in the sixties Soichiru Honda began developing automotive and motorcycle engines. When he received the first batch of tempered piston rings they snapped in his fingers. He was quick to learn. Look at Mr. Honda today. Don’t forget Honda aviation partnered with G.E. to develop fuel efficient engines for the Hondajet. Whether you’re Asian or Occidental the smart minds will adapt. If the C919 needs engines 2nd or third generation engines will work just fine. Watch the development, just don’t get whiplash.