In a significant move, the US government has blocked the export of critical jet parts and technology to China, marking a serious blow to China’s aircraft manufacturing ambitions.

According to a New York Times report, the US Commerce Department suspended export licenses that allowed American companies to sell important technology to the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corp of China Ltd (Comac).

The department explained that it is currently reviewing key exports, stating, “In some cases, Commerce has suspended existing export licenses or imposed additional license requirements while the review is pending.”

Why the Export Ban Hurts China

Comac, backed by the Chinese government, depends heavily on American-made engines—especially GE Aerospace engines—for its C919 passenger jets.

Although the ban may not affect production immediately—since Bloomberg reports that Comac has already stockpiled enough engines to build dozens of aircraft this year—the move could seriously harm its future growth.

Part of Broader US-China Trade Tensions

This decision, however, is not isolated. It reflects the broader trade conflict between the United States and China.

In response to previous sanctions, China has consistently called them “wrongful” and urged the United States to lift them. Moreover, following a US court’s decision to block Trump's earlier tariffs on trading partners, Beijing said that “trade wars have no winners.”

The trade war has already shaken global markets. Trump’s frequent tariff announcements—and his sudden policy reversals—created uncertainty, forcing countries to scramble for new agreements.

A History of High Tariffs

At the height of the trade war, the US imposed up to 145% in tariffs on Chinese goods, while China retaliated with up to 125% tariffs on American products.

Later, both nations agreed to ease the pressure. The US lowered tariffs to 30%, and China reduced its duties on some US imports to 10%.

What Lies Ahead for Comac and US-China Relations

Experts believe this export freeze could disrupt Comac’s long-term strategy. Since the firm still needs US technology for aircraft development, the ban may eventually slow down production and damage foreign interest in Chinese-made jets.

This move also adds to the legal and economic pressure on Beijing as the two superpowers continue to clash over trade and technology.