I would not characterize Boeing as idiots... More like paranoids. Boeing is scared (panicked?) of having a new entrant. The commercial jet industry has huge co

I would not characterize Boeing as idiots... More like paranoids. Boeing is scared (panicked?) of having a new entrant. The commercial jet industry has huge costs of entry that act as a very high barrier for newcomers. The C series, if successful, would have acted a stepping stone into bigger jets that would be competing directly with Boeing. Airbus buying the C series is, in a way, a small victory for Boeing. It leaves the market as a duopoly and ensures that Bombardier will not get into bigger planes. It also sends a strong signal that no third competitor will be allowed. At least until the Chinese government heavily subsidizes a homegrown competitor with huge military tanker contracts.