Beijing: China has strongly criticised Washington’s proposal to prohibit its airlines from flying through Russian airspace on routes to and from the United States, warning that such a move would undermine “international travel and people-to-people exchanges.”
Responding to the U.S. plan, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Barring Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on flights to and from the U.S. would hinder travel and people-to-people exchanges.”
The ministry urged the Trump administration to “take a hard look at its own policy and its impact on American businesses,” referring to Washington’s ongoing trade measures and tariffs against other countries.
“Rather than punishing other countries and passengers around the world, perhaps it’s time the U.S. reflected on its own policies and their consequences for American companies,” the spokesperson added.
According to Fox Business, citing Reuters, the Trump administration on Thursday proposed restricting Chinese airlines from using Russian airspace, arguing that their access to shorter routes provides an “unfair” advantage over American carriers.
The proposal came after several U.S. airlines raised concerns that they are forced to take longer and more expensive routes around Russia, while Chinese carriers can offer faster and cheaper flights by using the shorter northern routes. The U.S. administration has reportedly given Beijing two days to respond, with a final order possibly taking effect as early as November.
Following Western sanctions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia banned U.S. and several European airlines from its airspace. However, Russian airspace remains the most efficient route connecting Asia, Europe, and North America, significantly reducing flight time and fuel costs.
The latest dispute comes amid deepening economic tensions between Washington and Beijing. Earlier on Thursday, China announced tighter export controls on rare earth materials critical to U.S. industries, a move widely seen as retaliation for American trade restrictions.
Escalating the standoff, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday announced a 100% tariff on Chinese goods, effective November 1, 2025, along with new export controls on all critical software.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position… the United States of America will impose a 100% tariff on China, over and above any tariff they are currently paying. Also on November 1, we will impose export controls on any and all critical software.”
Trump claimed his decision followed what he described as an “extremely hostile letter” from Beijing detailing plans to impose sweeping export restrictions, calling it “a moral disgrace in dealing with other nations.”
