✈️ The U.S. Commerce Department’s decision to suspend export licenses for aviation tech to China’s COMAC — maker of the C919 airliner — is sending shockwaves through the aerospace industry. Critics warn the move could backfire, hitting American jobs and innovation harder than its intended target.
At the heart of the dispute? The LEAP-1C engine, a GE-Safran collaboration powering COMAC’s planes. "This isn’t just about engines — it’s about a $1.7 trillion global aviation market," says Fred Teng, president of AmericaChina. GE and Honeywell now face revenue losses and supply chain chaos, with Teng calling it a "self-inflicted wound" for U.S. competitiveness.
🌍 Analysts compare the aerospace sector to a high-stakes chessboard: Blocking sales to COMAC could push China to accelerate homegrown alternatives, while EU rivals like Airbus might swoop in to fill the gap. Meanwhile, U.S. workers in states like Ohio and Alabama brace for ripple effects.
"Innovation thrives on collaboration," Teng notes, pointing to decades of U.S.-China tech partnerships. With 40% of Boeing’s 737 MAX parts sourced globally, the move raises questions: Are export controls protecting security — or stifling the very industry they aim to shield? 🔧💡
