China (finally) confirms Boeing order

China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed a deal the country to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft. This official statement marks the end of a near decade-long sales freeze on commercial Boeing jets to China. China’s confirmation comes days after US President Donald Trump announced it. When announced by Trump, Boeing’s stock actually fell because investors were expecting a deal of up to 500 planes. China said the US government committed to providing China with “strict supply guarantees” for aircraft engine parts and components. China’s announcement solidifies trade terms established during a high-profile Beijing summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Trump. “In accordance with the important consensus reached by the Chinese and U.S. leaders, China’s aviation industry will introduce 200 Boeing aircraft based on commercial principles and its own needs for air transport development,” a Chinese official said, according to a CNBC report. While the confirmed order is lower than some analyst expectations, US officials indicated total purchases could scale up to 750 planes in future tranches, but analysts don’t really believe at the moment those will materialise and put little faith in US government statements. The two sides will also work towards an extension of the tariffs truce they agreed in October and seek tariff cuts on $30 billion or more of goods each, the ministry added. The announcement came as Xi was holding talks with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin just days after Trump’s visit. China is the second-largest aviation market in the world. In 2024, Boeing projected that Chinese airlines would need nearly 9,000 new aircraft over the next two decades. However, Boeing has sold only 49 jets to China since 2018, mostly freighter aircraft. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]