Archer Aviation has escalated its legal fight with Joby Aviation, accusing its rival of concealing extensive ties to China, misleading federal regulators, and gaining an unfair competitive advantage as both companies race to bring electric air taxis to the market.
The allegations came in a countersuit Archer filed in California federal court on March 9, 2026, as part of an already heated dispute between two of the biggest names in the eVTOL sector.
In its filing, Archer alleges that Joby operated a manufacturing subsidiary in Shenzhen for years and benefited from Chinese government support while publicly presenting itself as a made-in-the-US air-taxi company. Archer also claims Joby concealed the extent of its China ties from regulators and investors.
The countersuit goes further, alleging that Joby or its agents misclassified thousands of pounds of Chinese-origin aircraft materials as consumer goods, including items such as socks, napkins, and hair clips. Archer argues that those actions helped Joby evade tariffs and foreign-influence scrutiny while lowering costs and strengthening its supply chain position.
Joby sharply rejected the claims. Alex Spiro, an attorney for the company, called Archer’s allegations “nonsensical” and said the dispute will play out in court.
Archer is asking the court for damages and injunctive relief. It alleges false advertising under federal law and claims Joby engaged in fraudulent business acts prohibited under California law. Archer also wants closer scrutiny of Joby’s federal relationships and argues that the company should not participate in certain government-funded programs if the allegations prove true.
On the same day Archer filed its countersuit, the US Department of Transportation announced eight grant programs aimed at accelerating development of air taxis and drones. Both Archer and Joby appear on three of those programs, underscoring how closely the federal government is watching the sector as it tries to speed certification, testing, and deployment of eVTOL air taxis.
The Trump administration has pushed US aerospace and defense companies to reduce dependence on foreign, especially Chinese, supply chains. Archer’s filing leans heavily into that concern, framing Joby’s alleged conduct not only as a competitive issue but also as a national-security issue.
This new countersuit comes after an earlier lawsuit Joby filed against Archer in November 2025. In that case, Joby accused Archer of trade secret theft and corporate espionage, alleging that Archer hired a former Joby employee who downloaded confidential company information before leaving. Archer has denied those allegations and moved to dismiss Joby’s suit.
Both companies remain among the leading contenders in the race to launch commercial eVTOL operations. Joby has said it plans to begin flights in Dubai by the end of 2026, while Archer has announced plans tied to South Florida and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.