Trump Blocks Aerospace Tech Exports to China as C919 Jet Fuels U.S. Security Fears and Rivalry

President Trump’s recent decision to limit the export of U.S. aerospace technology to China marks a culmination of long-standing concerns in Washington about the role American firms have played in developing China’s aerospace industry. Specifically, the restrictions target China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), which was created in 2008 to develop the C919 jet as a competitor to Boeing.

COMAC’s C919, a single-aisle commercial jet, faced numerous delays despite substantial support from Western companies. Initially slated for service in 2016, the jet only entered commercial use in 2023. Despite the setbacks, the Chinese government proudly touts the C919 as a symbol of national strength and technological advancement.

C919 Symbolizes Past Cooperation, Now Overshadowed by Security Concerns and Geopolitical Tensions

The C919 reflects a previous era of optimism in U.S.-China economic cooperation. However, relations have soured significantly since Xi Jinping rose to power in 2012. U.S. officials now express concern that joint ventures with COMAC may aid in the theft of intellectual property and pose national security risks. Critics argue that the C919 incorporates stolen technology from Western aviation firms.

Approximately 40% of the C919’s components are sourced from the U.S. and other Western countries, raising alarms in Washington. China’s foreign ministry has condemned the Trump administration’s restrictions as unjustified political interference in trade and technology. Meanwhile, the jet directly competes with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 in the commercial aviation market.

C919 Production Accelerates, but Global Certification and Scrutiny Remain Major Obstacles Ahead

Although only 16 C919s had been delivered as of early 2025, COMAC is increasing production and has nearly 1,000 orders, mainly from Chinese state-run airlines and a few developing nations. Still, international certification remains a challenge. Neither the U.S. FAA nor the European Union has yet approved the aircraft for broader commercial use.

General Electric (GE) played a pivotal role in the C919’s development by partnering with AVIC, a major Chinese defense contractor. GE provided advanced avionics and engine components, similar to those used in Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner. Though GE claimed the collaboration supported American jobs and exports, its close work with a defense-linked entity has drawn scrutiny.

Building and certifying the C919 proved to be far more complex than China expected. Its first test flight occurred in 2017, and most early operations are domestic, with China Eastern Airlines leading the rollout. The airline started flying to Hong Kong in January 2025, testing the aircraft’s international capabilities. Full global certification and competitiveness remain years away.