US firms ‘doing serious evaluation’ on Ukraine’s Motor Sich amid pressure to block sale to China

Top diplomat William Taylor says United States is helping the Ukrainian aircraft engine maker find other investors

Washington has voiced its opposition to state-owned Beijing Skyrizon Aviation’s takeover bid for the company

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Acting US ambassador to Ukraine William Taylor said the US had put potential investors “in touch with the right officials”. Photo: The Washington Post

Published: 2:00pm, 28 Dec 2019Updated: 10:56pm, 28 Dec 2019

The top US diplomat in Ukraine says American companies are in “serious evaluation” on buying the country’s aircraft engine maker, as Washington ramps up pressure to block the sale of the strategic asset to China.

The comments came as Washington has voiced its opposition to Beijing Skyrizon Aviation’s takeover bid for Motor Sich, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of civilian and military turbine engines.

Outgoing acting ambassador William Taylor told local media on Thursday, ahead of his January departure, that the US was helping Motor Sich to find other investors.

“They’re doing some due diligence, checking balance sheets, visiting the plant, talking to the owners,” Taylor said, referring to potential investors. “They’re doing some serious evaluation.

“We put them in touch with the right officials,” he added. “Not just Motor Sich offices, but government officials.”

Cash-strapped 112-year-old Motor Sich is caught in a geopolitical dispute, as Kiev fears Chinese ownership of an important state asset, while Washington is wary of China’s growing reach as a military and economic power.