Trump aims to leverage US aircraft-part exports to China in trade negotiations, sources say

The Trump administration is leveraging China's dependence on US aviation suppliers as a bargaining chip in trade negotiations. The Commerce Department has slowed export licensing for airplane parts, considered new restrictions on landing gear and hydraulic fluid, and limited parts licensed to COMAC. China has sought multi-year spare parts guarantees for 200 Boeing jets, but the US is reluctant, viewing the parts as leverage for future concessions. The trade truce was recently extended to January 10, 2027.

The Trump administration is actively leveraging China's dependence on US aviation suppliers as a strategic bargaining chip in ongoing trade negotiations, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Commerce Department has taken several concrete steps: slowing export licensing for airplane parts bound for China in recent weeks, drafting a new regulation that could restrict landing gear and other aircraft parts, and limiting the number of parts licensed to China's state-owned planemaker COMAC to prevent stockpiling. Officials have also expressed interest in issuing an export regulation that could make it easier to restrict aviation hydraulic fluid shipped by US suppliers like ExxonMobil. These efforts aim to strengthen Washington's hand as it seeks to loosen Beijing's grip on rare earth minerals needed for US industries including vehicle manufacturing, chipmaking, and aerospace. Meanwhile, China has sought several years' worth of spare parts for 200 Boeing jets it agreed to purchase last spring, but the US has been reluctant to provide guarantees, viewing the parts as leverage for future concessions. The trade truce was recently extended to January 10, 2027, following a meeting between Trump and Xi in Washington.