Rather, will COMAC knock on Embraer's door? I see a major tech access opportunity for China; Embraer has some serious engineering talent. China has previously shown -over and over- a determination to buy foreign technology. The same philosophy as Russia: Let someone else invest in the costly research then either buy or steal the work.
I'm sad because it seems to me yet another Boeing misguided decision. It's like Boeing management still can't get it right. I'm referring to the possibility of a government bailout which was originally floated. That deal would have given Boeing enough financial wiggle room to complete the Embraer deal. But, I believe (but can't verify) Boeing rejected this due to pressure surrounding share dilution and stock holder preservation.
Boeing needs to bury the MAX debacle and all its associated baggage. I'll go out on a limb and suggest that, yes, the B797 is a way for Boeing to do that.