US - China Relations: Trump Administration To Prohibit Chinese Airlines From Flying To US

The Trump administration will ban Chinese passenger airlines from flying to and from the United States, as tensions remain high between Washington and Beijing. The measure will go into effect on June 16, but the restrictions could be implemented earlier.

The U.S. government says Beijing has violated an air travel agreement between the two nations and has not approved requests by U.S. airlines to fly to the country. The order, published on Wednesday, will impact Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Xiamen carriers.

“Our overriding goal is not the perpetuation of this situation, but rather an improved environment wherein the carriers of both parties will be able to exercise fully their bilateral rights,” the order from the U.S. Department of Transportation says. “Should the [Chinese aviation authority] adjust its policies to bring about the necessary improved situation for U.S. carriers, the Department is fully prepared to revisit the action it has announced in this order.”

Multiple U.S. air carriers, most notably Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, have been seeking to resume flights to China.

“We support and appreciate the U.S. government’s actions to enforce our rights and ensure fairness,” Delta said in a statement.

The move comes as the Trump administration condemns China for imposing a new security law on Hong Kong. On May 29, President Trump announced at the White House that the U.S. would “begin the process of eliminating policy exemptions that give Hong Kong different and special treatment” from mainland China.

Trump has also criticized China for the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The virus originated at an animal and seafood market in the Chinese city of Wuhan, with Trump sometimes dubbing it the “China virus.”

“The plague came in from China, they shouldn’t have let it happen. It’s not right,” Trump said in a Fox Radio interview on Wednesday, referring to the Chinese government.