Photo: Yonhap News
The Donald Trump administration has ordered the suspension of flights by Chinese airlines into and out of the United States in retaliation to Beijing barring American carriers from resuming services to China.
According to a Department of Transportation order released Wednesday, the measure will take effect June 16, but could be imposed sooner if Trump orders it.
The move adds to escalating trade tensions between the world's two largest economies and growing friction over the coronavirus pandemic.
The suspension applies to seven Chinese passenger carriers, however, only Air China, China Eastern Airlines and two others are currently running services to U.S. cities.
United Airlines and Delta Air Lines had submitted applications to restart flights to and from China that were suspended to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but have been unable to receive authorization.
The U.S. order stated the Chinese government's failure to approve flight schedules for U.S. carriers is a violation of "bilateral rights" to resume routes to China and their Air Transport Agreement.
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