00:00Welcome back. U.S. President Donald Trump has proposed banning Chinese airlines from flying over Russia on routes to and from the United States.
00:10Trump says the current practice gives Beijing an unfair competitive advantage by cutting fuel costs and travel time.
00:19The U.S. Transportation Department said the move aims to level the playing field between U.S. and Chinese carriers.
00:26It claimed the current arrangement has created a significant competitive imbalance.
00:32Chinese airlines have been given two days to respond to the proposed order, with the ban potentially taking effect as early as November.
00:41The decision could impact some U.S. flights operated by Air China, China Eastern, China Southern and Xiamen Airlines.
00:48It could also complicate ongoing discussions between Boeing and China on a major aircraft deal involving 500 jets.
00:57Before the COVID pandemic, more than 150 weekly flights connected the two countries.
01:03That number has been cut to about a third.
01:05The proposal comes a day after China announced tighter controls on rare earth exports,
01:11and just weeks before Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet in South Korea.
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