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, specifically CFM International's LEAP 1-C engine, to China's Comac for its C919 narrowbody aircraft.
This action is part of the U.S.'s broader use of export controls to rebalance global trade arrangements and targets "exports of strategic significance" to China.
The export block significantly impacts Comac, whose C919 relies heavily on international components and engines, as China's own commercial jet engine development is years away.
China has accused the U.S. of "abusing export controls" to suppress its industry, while Comac continues to seek European certification for the C919 to expand its commercial prospects beyond domestic use.

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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.