Trump Turns Down U.S. Restrictions against Selling China GE Jet Engines and Parts

Feb. 18, 2020 (EIRNS)—President Donald Trump today blasted proposals to restrict U.S. companies’ ability to sell jet engines and other components to China’s aviation industry, declaring that he had instructed his administration to block any such moves. He is thus opposing certain members of Congress and others advocating blocking General Electric, co-producer of jet engines, from selling them to China.

Trump tweeted today:

“The United States cannot, & will not, become such a difficult place to deal with in terms of foreign countries buying our product, including for the always used National Security excuse, that our companies will be forced to leave in order to remain competitive. We want to sell product and goods to China and other countries. That’s what trade is all about. We don’t want to make it impossible to do business with us. That will only mean that orders will go to someplace else. As an example, I want China to buy our jet engines, the best in the World. I have seen some of the regulations being circulated, including those being contemplated by Congress, and they are ridiculous. I want to make it EASY to do business with the United States, not difficult. Everyone in my Administration is being so instructed, with no excuses. THE UNITED STATES IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS!”

It is reported that the President is also considering lifting limits on other components for Chinese commercial aircraft, such as flight control systems made by Honeywell International.

The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association welcomed the President’s tweets, “supporting U.S. companies being able to sell products to China and opposing proposed regulations that would unduly curtail that ability,” said SIA President John Neuffer, in a statement. “As we have discussed with the administration, sales of non-sensitive, commercial products to China drive semiconductor research and innovation, which is critical to America’s economic strength and national security.”