US President Donald Trump on Thursday said China has agreed to purchase 200 aircraft from Boeing Co., marking the first major order of US‑made commercial jets by Beijing in nearly a decade.
Speaking in an interview with Fox News, Trump described the agreement as a significant breakthrough in US‑China economic relations.
“Boeing wanted 150, they got 200,” Trump said, adding that the order would include large aircraft, according to Bloomberg.
Details of the agreement remain unclear, including which models are included in the reported order.
Prior to the deal, Chinese airlines had been expected to place orders for up to 500 Boeing aircraft, including 737 Max models and wide‑body jets.
If confirmed, the purchase would end a prolonged freeze in Boeing orders from China, the world’s second‑largest aviation market, and could provide a significant boost to the American manufacturer amid restructuring efforts, Ukrinform reported.
“The order for 200 aircraft is disappointing for a market that expects 300 or more,” Bloomberg intelligence analyst George Ferguson said.
The potential deal comes at a time of strong global demand for new aircraft, with production struggling to keep pace, making access to supply a key factor for airlines.
Resuming sales to China would help Boeing stabilize its finances amid restructuring and ensure Chinese airlines access to new aircraft as global demand outpaces supply.
It also coincides with Trump’s three‑day state visit to China, where he is expected to discuss trade, energy cooperation, Taiwan, and broader geopolitical issues with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The agreement could signal an effort by both sides to stabilize trade ties while continuing to navigate ongoing tensions over security issues, sanctions, and global conflicts.
Prior to this, the US imposed additional sanctions targeting entities linked to Iran’s military programs, including organizations based in China and Hong Kong.