politics
Trump Announces China Agrees to Buy 200 Boeing Jets
President Trump announced that China committed to purchasing at least 200 commercial aircraft from Boeing, with a potential increase to 750 if conditions are met. The statement followed a summit in Beijing where trade discussions also covered aircraft engines from General Electric, U.S. oil and soybeans. No formal confirmation or detailed agreements have been released by Chinese officials.
South China Morning PostAudio version
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The announcement came as President Trump departed China on Air Force One after meeting with Xi Jinping. Trump told reporters aboard the plane that China agreed to purchase at least 200 Boeing jets, with a promise for up to 750 planes total if the initial order is fulfilled.
He added that Beijing also agreed to buy up to 450 aircraft engines from General Electric. "We made a lot of great trade deals, including over 200 planes for Boeing, with a promise of 750 planes, which would be by far the largest order ever, if they do a good job with the 200, which I’m sure they will," Trump said, according to multiple reports of his remarks.
Trump further stated that China had agreed it wanted to buy U.S. oil and would be buying billions of dollars of soybeans. He described the overall visit as having produced "a lot of good" and "fantastic trade deals" that were "great for both countries."
No formal joint statement or written agreement detailing the aircraft purchase was released by either government as the summit concluded. Chinese officials have neither confirmed nor denied the specific purchase numbers outlined by Trump. A Chinese foreign ministry statement released Friday called for shipping lanes to be reopened as soon as possible but did not address any specific commitment on aircraft, engines, oil or soybeans.
During the meetings, Trump said discussions covered opening the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions related to the war in Iran. He stated that Chinese officials expressed a desire to see the strait reopened and offered to be of help. The two sides had been expected to discuss extending a one-year tariff truce agreed to in October 2025, but Trump told reporters the topic was not raised.
Talks also touched on Taiwan, with Trump saying he heard Chinese officials out on the issue without making a comment and that U.S. policy on Taiwan remains unchanged. Trump further stated that he raised the case of imprisoned Hong Kong pro-democracy media mogul Jimmy Lai, but that Chinese officials indicated it was a difficult issue for them.
