Trump Warns of Export Controls on Boeing Parts in Retaliation to China’s Rare Earth Moves

President Donald Trump has threatened to impose export controls on Boeing aircraft parts in response to China’s tightened export rules on rare earth minerals. At a press briefing, Trump emphasized that many Chinese airlines rely heavily on Boeing parts for maintenance and operations, suggesting the U.S. could restrict access to components as leverage in the broader trade standoff.

Trump said, “They have a lot of Boeing planes, and they need parts—and that could be a big thing,” signaling this could become part of his administration’s countermeasures. The proposal would mark a significant escalation in the ongoing U.S.–China technology and trade conflict, potentially impacting aviation supply chains and commercial aircraft operations.

If implemented, controls would target components, spare parts, or systems used in Boeing jets operating in China, making future maintenance and operations more challenging. The move is seen as retaliation to China’s restrictions on rare earth exports—critical materials used in electronics, defense systems, and high-precision manufacturing.

A shift to export controls could heighten tensions further, as it directly targets an essential sector in global trade and transportation. Boeing and related suppliers could face reduced revenue from the Chinese market and pressure to rework supply chains or find alternate markets. On the other side, Chinese airlines, reliant on U.S. parts for maintenance and spare supply, might face delays, higher costs, or seek substitute sources.

In addition, such a policy could escalate reciprocal actions from China, such as restricting U.S. firms’ access to Chinese markets or imposing countermeasures on U.S. exports.