The United States has suspended the export of critical aviation technologies to China, including components tied to the CFM LEAP-1C engines that power the domestically developed Comac C919 aircraft. The move, which coincides with the two-year anniversary of the C919’s entry into commercial service, threatens to stall production of China’s flagship single-aisle jet.
The C919, designed to rival the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320, has seen only 18 units delivered to date, with China targeting an annual production rate of 50 aircraft in the near term. The U.S. restrictions could significantly hamper these plans, as the LEAP-1C engine is the aircraft’s sole powerplant.
According to Reuters, citing a New York Times report, the U.S. government suspended certain exports to Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC in retaliation for China’s recent curbs on exporting critical minerals to the U.S. Sources familiar with the matter said aviation equipment was among the sectors affected, and the U.S. Commerce Department has confirmed it is reviewing strategic exports to China. In some cases, it has suspended existing licenses or added new requirements during the review period.
The Chinese government has condemned the decision. A spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Washington stated:
“China firmly opposes the U.S.’s overstretching of national security concepts, misuse of export controls, and malicious suppression of Chinese enterprises.”
The LEAP-1C engines, developed by Ohio-based CFM International—a joint venture between GE Aerospace and France’s Safran Aircraft Engines—are a cornerstone of the C919 program. Without these engines, production of the C919 will grind to a halt, grounding aircraft currently under assembly and derailing China’s target of delivering 30 units in 2025.
Despite having delivered fewer than 20 aircraft over two years, COMAC is ambitiously pursuing a production ramp-up, aiming for 50 units annually by 2025 and over 120 per year by 2028. The manufacturer reportedly has a backlog of more than 1,000 orders from Chinese airlines, although it has yet to secure international sales or gain European Union certification.
China has long sought to reduce reliance on Western technology. In response to ongoing export controls, Chinese aerospace firms are accelerating efforts to develop indigenous alternatives. The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC), based in Shanghai, is leading the development of the CJ-1000 high-bypass turbofan engine intended to replace the LEAP-1C on future C919 aircraft.
AECC reported in March 2025 that development of the CJ-1000 was “progressing well.” According to the South China Morning Post, Shi Jianzhong, honorary president of the Shanghai Society of Aeronautics and former COMAC deputy general manager, said the engine’s trial runs had exceeded expectations.
The current U.S. restrictions reflect deepening trade tensions with China, a lingering effect of tariff disputes initiated under the Trump administration. Aircraft deliveries have already felt the impact of the strained relationship, although there have been signs of slight improvement. Boeing, for instance, is preparing to resume deliveries to Chinese carriers after a temporary ban was lifted.
However, the latest curbs on engine technology underscore the fragility of China’s aviation supply chain and its dependence on foreign components—an issue Beijing is racing to address in its quest for aerospace self-sufficiency.