WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 15, 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump said China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, marking what could become one of the most significant aviation deals between Washington and Beijing in nearly a decade.

Speaking during an interview with Fox News, Trump described the agreement as a major development in U.S.-China economic relations following discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“One thing he agreed to today — he’s going to order 200 jets… 200 big ones,” Trump said during the interview.

If finalized, the deal would represent China’s first major purchase of American-made commercial aircraft in several years amid ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.

Details of Boeing Deal Remain Unclear

Despite Trump’s announcement, the White House and Boeing have not officially confirmed details of the proposed transaction.

It also remains unclear which aircraft models are included in the reported agreement. Analysts say the deal could involve Boeing’s narrow-body 737 MAX jets or larger wide-body aircraft such as the 787 Dreamliner or the upcoming 777X.

The uncertainty surrounding the announcement triggered volatility in financial markets, with Boeing shares reportedly falling more than 4% after the news emerged.

Boeing Executives Joined Trump’s China Visit

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg and GE Aerospace CEO Larry Culp were part of the delegation accompanying Trump during his visit to China.

Their presence fueled speculation that aviation and industrial agreements were central topics during high-level bilateral meetings.

Industry observers noted that the aviation sector has become increasingly important in broader U.S.-China trade negotiations.

Proposed Order Smaller Than Market Expectations

Before Trump’s Beijing visit, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested that China could announce a major Boeing purchase.

However, analysts and aviation industry sources had reportedly anticipated a much larger agreement, with expectations ranging as high as 500 aircraft.

The reported 200-jet commitment is also smaller than the 300 Boeing aircraft China agreed to purchase during Trump’s 2017 visit to Beijing.

Still, experts say even a reduced order could help Boeing regain momentum in one of the world’s most critical aviation markets.

China’s Aviation Market Continues to Expand

China remains one of the fastest-growing aviation markets globally, driven by rising domestic travel demand and expanding airline fleets.

According to long-term forecasts from both Boeing and rival manufacturer Airbus, China is expected to require at least 9,000 new commercial aircraft by 2045.

Industry experts say the country’s aviation demand is too large for airlines to rely solely on Airbus, despite the European manufacturer strengthening its position in China over the past decade.

Airbus expanded its footprint in the Chinese market after opening an A320 assembly line in Tianjin in 2008, helping the company secure major contracts with Chinese carriers while Boeing faced mounting political and regulatory challenges.

Boeing Faces Pressure From Trade Disputes and Safety Concerns

Boeing’s relationship with China has been strained in recent years due to trade disputes between Washington and Beijing, along with safety concerns linked to two fatal 737 MAX crashes.

The company has also faced production delays, supply chain issues and intensified competition from Airbus.

According to industry sources, negotiations over a major Boeing agreement between the U.S. and China had been ongoing for months but repeatedly faced setbacks because of geopolitical tensions.

Last month, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg told Reuters that the company remained optimistic about finalizing a large Chinese order with support from the Trump administration.

New Signals in US-China Trade Relations

The potential aircraft purchase is being viewed as a broader signal that Washington and Beijing may be seeking to stabilize economic relations despite continuing strategic rivalry.

Trade experts say large-scale aviation deals have historically played a symbolic role in easing tensions between the two countries during sensitive diplomatic negotiations.

No official timeline has yet been announced for the completion of the proposed Boeing transaction.