• The U.S. may impose export controls on Boeing parts following China's rare earth export restrictions.
• Trump emphasized the need for U.S. parts due to China's significant orders for Boeing aircraft.
• Chinese airlines currently have 222 Boeing jets on order and operate 1,855 planes, mostly the 737 model.
• Export controls could also impact CFM International, which supplies engines for Boeing aircraft.
• China aims to boost its own aircraft industry with the COMAC C919, which competes with Boeing and Airbus jets.

The United States is considering implementing export controls on Boeing airplane parts in response to China’s recent restrictions on rare earth mineral exports. President Donald Trump highlighted this potential move during a press conference, suggesting that since China operates many Boeing planes, they will require the associated parts for maintenance and operation, which could become a significant bargaining tool in the trade dispute between the two nations, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.

Trump expressed his surprise regarding China's latest actions, mentioning his previously strong relationship with President Xi Jinping. He acknowledged that these measures were unexpected, stressing, "This was just a response to something that they didn’t aim at us, they aimed it at the whole world," as indicated in reports by India Times and Reuters.

As of now, Chinese airlines have a backlog of at least 222 Boeing jets, predominantly the popular 737 model, which has been significantly impacted by the trade tension. Analysts observe that even if negotiations for selling up to 500 jets to China do not proceed as planned, the overall financial impact on Boeing would be minimal, described as "sandpaper on Boeing's hide," according to Channel News Asia and India Times.

The imposition of export controls could also adversely affect CFM International, which produces engines for Boeing's 737 MAX, as well as GE engines for larger planes like the 777 and 787. In contrast, Airbus has significantly fewer orders from Chinese customers, with just 185 compared to Boeing's portfolio, as reported by Reuters and Channel News Asia.

China is concurrently working to advance its own aircraft industry through the development of the COMAC C919, a competitor to Boeing's 737 and Airbus's A320. However, U.S. export restrictions on vital components have slowed the production process significantly, with only five deliveries made out of 32 expected this year, according to India Times and Channel News Asia.