Anabelle Colaco
05 Oct 2026

NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. has slowed export licensing for aircraft parts bound for China and is considering measures that could make it easier to restrict additional aviation supplies, as the Trump administration seeks leverage in trade negotiations with Beijing, people familiar with the matter said.

The Commerce Department has slowed licensing for airplane-part exports to China in recent weeks, two sources told Reuters. Officials have also shown interest in an export regulation that could restrict landing gear and other aircraft parts, two sources said.

One draft included a new licensing requirement for aviation hydraulic fluid shipped by U.S. suppliers, including ExxonMobil, one person said.

The Commerce Department has also been limiting the number of parts licensed for shipment to China's state-owned aircraft manufacturer COMAC to prevent the company from stockpiling, another source said.

The measures come as Washington seeks greater access to Chinese rare earth minerals used by U.S. industries including vehicle manufacturing, chipmaking and aerospace. Two sources said the Commerce Department is positioning itself to increase pressure on Beijing if the administration asks it to.

The Commerce Department and White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Chinese embassy in Washington also did not immediately respond.

U.S. and Chinese officials met in September to negotiate economic issues including U.S. access to Chinese rare earth minerals, agricultural trade and artificial intelligence.

During Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington last week, the countries agreed to reduce tariffs on various goods and extend a trade truce until January 10, 2027, giving negotiators more time to address other issues.

The effort to constrain commercial aircraft parts comes amid industry concerns about using aircraft supplies in trade negotiations. The aerospace industry has largely avoided Trump's tariffs but has faced shortages of parts and materials linked to geopolitical tensions.

China has sought several years' worth of spare parts for 200 Boeing jets it agreed to purchase last spring, sources said. The deal would be Boeing's first major agreement with Chinese carriers in nearly a decade.

The U.S. has been reluctant to guarantee those parts, viewing them as potential leverage to secure future concessions, according to the sources. It remains unclear where China's request stands.

A Boeing spokesperson said, "Consistent with US export requirements, Boeing is committed to supporting Chinese airlines with the parts and services they need as we have done for decades."

U.S.-made aerospace components are important for Boeing and Airbus aircraft operated by Chinese airlines as well as for COMAC, which is seeking to increase production of its own commercial jets.

The U.S. imposed new restrictions on aircraft products last year as trade tensions intensified. In late spring, it suspended licenses for GE Aerospace jet engines, Honeywell Aerospace navigation systems, and other parts destined for COMAC.

Those 2025 restrictions also covered products outside aerospace, including ethane and electronic design automation software, but lasted only a few weeks.