The Trump administration is positioning US aviation supplies to China as leverage in trade negotiations, slowing export licensing for aircraft parts and considering broader restrictions. The effort coincides with Washington's push to secure Chinese rare earth minerals used across vehicle manufacturing, chipmaking and aerospace, while two sources said the Commerce Department is preparing to increase pressure on Beijing if asked. The measures include slower licensing for airplane parts, a potential rule covering landing gear and other aircraft components, and a draft requirement for aviation hydraulic fluid supplied by companies including ExxonMobil. Commerce has also limited the number of parts licensed for shipment to China's state-owned planemaker, COMAC, to prevent stockpiling. The Commerce Department, White House and Chinese embassy in Washington did not immediately comment. US and Chinese officials met in September in New York and Washington over rare earth access, agricultural trade and artificial intelligence. After Chinese President Xi Jinping was in Washington last week, the countries agreed to reduce tariffs on various goods and extend a trade truce from November 10 to January 10, 2027. The aircraft-parts restrictions have renewed industry concerns that commercial planes could become tools in trade negotiations, following a dispute over parts last year and existing supply problems linked to geopolitical tensions and Chinese controls on rare earth materials. China has sought several years of spare-parts supplies for 200 Boeing jets it agreed to purchase last spring, potentially the US planemaker's first major deal with Chinese carriers in nearly a decade. The United States has been reluctant to provide guarantees, and the status of China's request remains unclear. Boeing said it remains committed to supporting Chinese airlines with parts and services in line with US export requirements. China is seeking the supplies amid industry-wide shortages and concerns about renewed trade tensions. US aerospace suppliers are important to Boeing and Airbus aircraft operated by Chinese carriers and to COMAC's plans to increase commercial-jet production. Last year, the United States imposed new export restrictions on aircraft products, including a late-spring suspension of licenses for GE Aerospace engines, Honeywell Aerospace navigation systems and other COMAC parts. It also temporarily required licenses for hydraulic fluid used in Chinese aircraft. The 2025 restrictions covered products beyond aerospace, including ethane and electronic design automation software, but lasted only a few weeks.