US trade war casts long shadow over China’s biggest air show
- Zhuhai event expected to see less business than in previous years as ongoing tensions weigh on aerospace sector
Trade frictions with the United States and accusations of industrial espionage are set to cast a cloud over China’s largest aerospace meeting this week, as suppliers consider what the country’s slowing economy could mean for booming jet demand.
The biennial Airshow China, to be held in the coastal city of Zhuhai from Tuesday to Sunday, is traditionally an event for Beijing to parade its growing aviation prowess in front of aerospace executives, diplomats and arms buyers from over 40 countries.
But analysts say they are not expecting many headline announcements or big deals this year as a bruising trade war between Beijing and Washington and a slowing Chinese economy cause companies to be cautious.
While the tarmac will be filled with planes from the likes of Airbus and Embraer, the main symbol of China’s own commercial aviation ambitions, the Commercial Aircraft Corp of China’s C919 narrowbody jet, will not be there. A senior executive said it was undergoing test flights.
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Boeing, which is opening a 737 completion plant in China, will not display any of its planes but only models at its exhibition stand.