US Tightens Rules on Aircraft Parts Exports to China

The US is tightening controls on aircraft parts exports to China. Washington wants to use China's dependence on American aviation technology to its advantage in trade negotiations.

Additionally, the US is preparing new rules that will make it easier to restrict the sale of aircraft landing gear systems and other important parts to China. The new rules could also extend to aviation hydraulic fluid.

Chinese state-owned company COMAC has already been restricted from purchasing certain American parts, in order to prevent the company from building up large stockpiles.

China needs American parts both for Boeing and Airbus aircraft and to grow its own aircraft manufacturing industry. Alongside the purchase of 200 new Boeing planes, Beijing is also demanding a guarantee of spare parts supply for several years, though Washington is not yet rushing to agree to this demand.

The aviation sector has so far been relatively less affected by the US-China trade standoff. Now, however, Washington is tightening conditions in this area as well.

At the same time, the US is trying to ensure that the supply of rare earth metals from China is not disrupted. The temporary trade agreement between the two countries remains in effect until January 10, 2027.

Source: Reuters