Archer Aviation on Monday lodged a countersuit in U.S. federal court, accusing Joby Aviation of defrauding the U.S. government and of concealing close ties to China that Archer says were used to gain a competitive advantage. The filing asserts that Joby or its agents intentionally misclassified thousands of pounds of Chinese-origin aircraft materials as consumer goods in an effort to sidestep U.S. tariffs and foreign-influence oversight.
The countersuit was filed in response to a suit Joby brought in a California state court in November of last year, in which Joby alleged that Archer had stolen trade secrets by hiring away a Joby employee who reportedly took confidential information relating to Joby’s business strategies, partnership terms and aircraft specifications. That initial case was transferred to U.S. district court in December.
Allegations in Archer’s filing
Archer’s federal countersuit lays out several specific accusations. It claims Joby received grants and other financial benefits from the Chinese government, a relationship Archer describes as evidence of a "profound, undisclosed foreign dependency." The countersuit further contends Joby has portrayed itself as fully American while not disclosing those ties to Beijing, giving Joby what Archer describes as an unfair edge in the developing market for electric air taxis.
The filing also alleges improper classification of Chinese-origin aircraft materials as consumer goods, describing the practice as an apparent attempt to evade U.S. tariffs and foreign-influence oversight. Archer says this involved "thousands of pounds" of such materials.
Responses and comment
Alex Spiro, an attorney for Joby, dismissed Archer’s claims in a statement, saying the company "doesn’t respond to nonsense." He added: "Archer’s constant legal issues and flailing business operations have left it no choice but to resort to invented nonsensical theories," and concluded, "We will see them in court."
An Archer spokesperson did not respond to a request for further comment.
Timing and wider context
The countersuit arrived the same day the U.S. Department of Transportation announced eight grant programs intended to accelerate development of air taxis and drones. Three of those programs list both Joby and Archer as participants. President Donald Trump announced the programs last year, framing them as part of an effort to catch up with China in drone and air mobility development.
Both Joby and Archer - developers of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft - are actively pursuing certification and deployment of competing vehicles designed for urban transport that is faster and more sustainable. The litigation adds a legal layer of competition as the companies push toward market readiness.
Summary of the legal trajectory
- Joby sued Archer in California state court in November last year, accusing Archer of stealing trade secrets.
- The case was moved to U.S. district court in December.
- Archer filed a countersuit in federal court on Monday alleging fraud on the U.S. government and undisclosed ties to China.