Washington Slows Aircraft Parts Licensing to China and Prepares New Export Rule
A report stated that the U.S. Department of Commerce has slowed export licenses for aircraft parts to China and is preparing a rule that allows for tighter restrictions on sensitive components in the sector.
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A specialized report stated that in recent weeks, the U.S. Department of Commerce slowed the pace of granting export licenses for aircraft parts bound for China, while the department is working on preparing a new rule to make it easier to tighten restrictions on sensitive components in this sector. The report indicates that the move reflects a security priority taking precedence over the usual commercial agenda between the two countries.
According to the report, the upcoming rule includes requiring new licensing approvals for exporting hydraulic fluid used in aircraft, whose suppliers include ExxonMobil. The department also set a cap on the number of components licensed to state-owned Chinese manufacturer COMAC, aimed at preventing stockpiling. These components are used in core systems inside the aircraft, making any supply disruption impactful on maintenance and operational schedules.
These measures come amid ongoing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing, alongside the extension of the trade truce between the two countries from November 10, 2026, to January 10, 2027. This extension means that tariffs scheduled to return in November have been postponed to January, granting companies in both sectors a brief grace period to rearrange their contracts before the new rules settle.
If licensing restrictions persist, spare part deliveries to Chinese airlines could falter, delaying maintenance and repair work. The report did not include figures on the volume of withheld components or a timeline for publishing the new rule, nor was there an immediate comment from the U.S. Department of Commerce or COMAC.
What do these terms mean?
Export License: Mandatory approval from the government before selling a controlled item abroad. Export Controls: Rules defining goods and technologies that require approval before export for security reasons. "COMAC": A state-owned Chinese aircraft manufacturing company. Trade Truce: A temporary agreement halting the imposition of new tariffs between two countries for a specified period.
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