U.S. to Halt Chinese Airlines’ Access, Stoking Trade Tension

The Trump administration is suspending passenger flights to the U.S. by Chinese airlines, saying it was retaliating after Beijing barred American carriers from re-entering China amid escalating tensions between the two nations. The order issued Wednesday takes effect June 16, although President Donald Trump could act sooner if he chooses, the Department of Transportation said in a statement.

The move ratchets up tensions between the U.S. and China over trade, the coronavirus pandemic and the treatment of Hong Kong. China recently paused some agriculture imports after Trump threatened to eliminate the policy exemptions that allow America to treat Hong Kong differently than the mainland. A phase one trade deal between the nations is in jeopardy, and along with it billions of dollars in Boeing Co. aircraft sales.

Beijing has prevented U.S. carriers from restarting service to China while four of its airlines have maintained flights to and from American airports this year as Covid-19 erupted, according to the Transportation Department. U.S. airlines had asked to resume service as early as June 1.

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