China's COMAC Considers Routing LEAP Engines Through Airbus

China Explores Airbus Partnership to Circumvent US Engine Tariffs for COMAC C919

The Chinese government is reportedly considering a strategic partnership with Airbus to facilitate the delivery of CFM International LEAP engines for the domestically produced COMAC C919 aircraft. This initiative aims to bypass the substantial retaliatory tariffs imposed on US imports, which have disrupted engine supplies and contributed to production delays for COMAC, China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer.

Proposed Engine Routing Through Airbus

According to sources cited by Bloomberg, the proposal involves incorporating an additional set of LEAP engines into Airbus aircraft delivered to China. By routing the engines through Airbus, the components could be classified as European goods rather than direct imports from the US-based CFM International. This reclassification would potentially allow the engines to avoid the 125% tariff China levies on US products, a measure enacted in retaliation to a 145% duty on Chinese imports introduced during the Trump administration.

COMAC has reportedly stockpiled enough LEAP engines to meet production targets through 2025. However, with plans to increase C919 output in the coming years, securing a reliable supply of engines remains critical. The ongoing trade tensions have not only slowed COMAC’s production but have also intensified competition within the Chinese aviation market, positioning Airbus as a potential beneficiary as Chinese airlines explore alternative suppliers.

Complexities of Engine Supply and Domestic Development

CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric (US) and Safran Aircraft Engines (France), manufactures the LEAP-1C engine, the sole powerplant option for the C919. The consortium also produces the LEAP-1A for Airbus’s A320neo family and the LEAP-1B for Boeing’s 737 MAX. Despite manufacturing operations split between the US and France, CFM International’s headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, complicates the classification of these engines under current trade regulations.

In response to these challenges, China has accelerated efforts to develop a domestic alternative. The Aero Engine Corporation of China is advancing the CJ-1000A engine, though it remains in early testing phases with no definitive timeline for commercial deployment. The slow progress underscores the technical difficulties inherent in aerospace engine development and the extensive expertise required to produce reliable jet engines.

Strategic Implications for China’s Aerospace Ambitions

As COMAC contends with halted engine imports and production setbacks, the government’s potential strategy to route LEAP engines through Airbus reflects a pragmatic approach to sustaining momentum in its aviation ambitions. This maneuver highlights the broader geopolitical and commercial stakes involved, as China seeks to strengthen its aerospace sector while managing strained trade relations with the United States. Concurrently, the evolving landscape presents opportunities for competitors like Airbus, which may experience increased demand from Chinese airlines amid ongoing supply chain uncertainties.

While China continues to pursue a homegrown engine, its multifaceted strategy—balancing domestic innovation with international partnerships—illustrates the complexities of advancing its aerospace industry within a turbulent global trade environment.