Responding to the US move, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said, “Banning Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on flights to and from the US will hinder travel and people-to-people exchanges.”
The ministry advised the Trump administration to “take a close look at its policy and its impact on American businesses”, pointing to the US’s unprecedented tariffs on other countries.
“Instead of punishing other countries and travelers around the world, perhaps now is the time for the US to take a tough stance on its policy and the impact it has on American businesses,” the ministry said.
The Trump administration on Thursday proposed banning Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace, arguing that access to shorter routes gives them an “unfair” advantage over US carriers, according to Fox News Business, citing Reuters.
The US Transportation Department made the suggestion after several US airlines raised the issue, as US airlines have been forced to take longer and more expensive routes around Russia, while Chinese carriers continue to use shorter routes, allowing them to offer faster and cheaper flights on major routes. According to Fox News Business, the US administration has given China two days to respond and indicated that the final order could take effect as early as November. Russia, in response to Western sanctions. The invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has banned US and many European carriers from their airspace. Russian skies remain the shortest route between Asia, Europe and North America, offering low fuel consumption and operating costs.
This step has been taken amid increasing tensions between Washington and Beijing on several economic fronts. Earlier on Thursday, Beijing announced tighter export controls on rare earth materials that are essential to US industries, a move seen as a countermeasure to Washington’s trade sanctions.
Further escalating the standoff, US President Donald Trump on Friday announced 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods, effective November 1, 2025, in addition to the existing duties. He also said that export controls on all critical software would be implemented on the same day.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position… the United States will impose 100% tariffs on China, higher than any tariffs they are currently paying. Also on November 1, we will impose export controls on any and all critical software.”
Trump claimed the decision followed an “extremely hostile letter” from Beijing announcing plans to impose massive export controls on almost all products, calling it “a moral disgrace in dealing with other countries.”
