China Buys 200 Boeing Aircraft, Will US Trade Ties Thaw?

Beijing confirmed a purchase of 200 Boeing aircraft, together with engines and spare parts, from the United States, as the two countries seek to ease nearly a decade of trade tensions. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said on Wednesday that the aviation sector is one of the strategic areas to deepen economic co-operation between Beijing and Washington. ‘In line with the important consensus reached by Chinese and US leaders, China’s aviation industry will introduce 200 Boeing aircraft on a commercial basis and in response to the needs to develop air transport,’ the Ministry said in its official statement, quoted by CNBC on Wednesday 20 May 2026. The meeting marks the first time US leaders have met Xi since Trump’s visit to China in 2017. The purchase also marks the end of the freeze on Boeing aircraft sales to China that had lasted nearly a decade. Previously, Boeing’s commercial aircraft sales to China had virtually halted since the start of the trade war during Trump’s first term in 2017. However, the 200-aircraft order is still below analysts’ earlier expectations of up to 500 aircraft. President Trump previously told Fox News that China would buy 200 Boeing aircraft. The announcement drew market attention as the first large order from China since 2017. Boeing shares weakened after Trump first announced the plan last week. Market players say total orders remain below expectations. Washington state trade officials say Boeing still has potential for additional orders from Chinese carriers in the coming years. ‘Boeing has very strong demand and a long backlog. So I think it makes sense there will be more orders in the future,’ said Andrea Chartock, Assistant Director, Office of Economic Development and Competitiveness at the Washington State Department of Commerce to CNBC. Chartock said the state government welcomed the announcement because Boeing has a large industrial ecosystem in the state.