US set to discuss blocking engine sales for China’s new passenger jet, sources say
- Inter-agency meeting on Thursday will examine how strictly to limit exports of US technology to China
- Question mark over the latest licence request by General Electric, which has received licences to supply similar engines to China since 2014
The potential restriction on the engine sales – possibly along with limits on other components for Chinese commercial aircraft such as flight control systems made by Honeywell International – is the latest move in the battle between the world’s two largest economies over trade and technology.
The issue is expected to come up at an inter-agency meeting on Thursday about how strictly to limit exports of US technology to China and at another meeting with members of President Donald Trump’s cabinet set for February 28, sources said.
The White House and the US Commerce Department, which issues licences for such exports, declined to comment, as did a spokeswoman for General Electric (GE). The departments of defence, state, energy and treasury did not respond to requests for comment.
For years, the United States has supported American companies’ business with China’s budding civil aviation industry.