U.S. President Donald Trump announced that China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, with the potential for the order to increase to 750 planes, during his visit to China on 15 May 2026. The aircraft would include 777 and 737 models equipped with GE Aerospace engines.
The deal, if finalized, would mark Boeing’s first major Chinese order in nearly a decade, following years of limited access to China’s aviation market amid trade tensions. Boeing described the agreement as an initial commitment for 200 aircraft, with more potential orders contingent on performance. Aviation analysts estimate the order could be valued between $17 billion and $25 billion, depending on the mix of narrow- and wide-body jets.
Trump emphasized the significance of the agreement in narrowing the gap with European rival Airbus, which has led the Chinese market in recent years. Boeing executives, including CEO Kelly Ortberg, accompanied Trump to China to negotiate and oversee the deal. The announcement underscores China’s efforts to expand its aviation capacity as domestic manufacturers such as COMAC C919 fall short of production targets.
