The United States has suspended aircraft engine exports and other aviation related technology to the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), according to the New York Times.
On May 28, 2025, the New York Times reported that sales of some US technology such as semiconductors and chemicals had also been halted as part of the strategy.
After President Donald Trump launched a trade tariff war against China, the country responded by restricting US access to critical minerals. The latest tit for tat escalation by the US appears to be a response to that.
According to the New York Times, the US government expected China to lower restrictions on critical mineral exports after tensions between China and the US eased earlier in May 2025.
A bitter tariff war between the two countries broke out after the US announced sweeping tax hikes against dozens of countries, including China, on April 2, 2025
On May 12, 2025, a truce between the two economic powerhouses saw the US slash tariff increases on Chinese imports from 145% to 30% and China cut tariff rises on US imports from 125% to 10%.
The easing of tariffs is set to last for 90 days although there are a small number of imports that are exempt from the reduction included within the agreement.
The New York Times reported that the US Department of Commerce has suspended some licenses that permitted US-based firms to sell items and tech to COMAC.
The COMAC C919 aircraft designed to rival the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 is powered by CFM International LEAP turbofan engines.
The engines are manufactured in a joint venture between Safran and GE Aerospace.
