U.S. Blocks Sale of CFM Aircraft Engine to China

Commerce Department is reviewing ‘exports of strategic significance’ as trade war intensifies.

Zach Vasile

Friday, May 30, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET

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Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Comac's first production C919. [Courtesy: Comac]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Commerce Department has paused the sale of certain American-made aviation equipment, including CFM International's LEAP 1-C engines, to China's Comac for its C919 aircraft.
This action is part of a U.S. review of strategically significant exports and broader efforts to rebalance global trade, impacting Comac which currently relies heavily on international components for its C919.
China views the U.S. move as an abuse of export controls designed to suppress its domestic industry, while Comac continues to seek international certification for its C919.

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The U.S. Commerce Department has paused the sale of some American-made aviation equipment to China, including CFM International’s LEAP 1-C engine, which Chinese airplane maker Comac uses to power its narrowbody C919.

The New York Times first reported the export block on Wednesday, citing officials with knowledge of the matter. The department largely confirmed the newspaper’s reporting to Reuters, saying in a statement that it is reviewing “exports of strategic significance to China” and suspending export licenses for certain technology as that review continues.