China Agrees to Buy 200 Boeing Jets, Trump Says, in Major Aviation Deal

Kuala Lumpur— China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing jets, U.S. President Donald Trump said, in what could become one of the most significant aircraft deals between the two countries in years. The announcement came after Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, although detailed information on the aircraft models, delivery timeline and contract value has not yet been released.

Trump said the agreement involved “200 big” aircraft, referring to Boeing jets ordered by China. The deal is being closely watched because aircraft purchases are often seen as part of broader trade and diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Beijing.

The reported order, however, was smaller than what some analysts and industry observers had expected. Before the announcement, sources had indicated that discussions could involve around 500 Boeing 737 MAX jets, with the possibility of additional widebody aircraft orders later.

Despite the potential deal, Boeing shares fell 4.1% during Thursday trading, as investors appeared to react to the lower-than-expected order size. The market response suggested that some investors had anticipated a larger commitment from China.

China remains one of the world’s most important aviation markets, with strong long-term demand for new aircraft as air travel continues to expand. Analysts say the country may need up to 1,000 new aircraft in the near term, while Boeing and Airbus market projections estimate that China will require at least 9,000 new jetliners by 2045.

Boeing’s relationship with China has been under pressure in recent years. China’s last major Boeing order came in 2017, when it agreed to buy 300 Boeing jets during Trump’s previous visit to Beijing. Since then, Boeing has received only limited orders from China, while Airbus has strengthened its position in the Chinese aviation market.

The 200-jet agreement could therefore become an important step for Boeing as it seeks to rebuild momentum in China. However, industry analysts note that aircraft deals announced during diplomatic visits often depend on political conditions, government approvals and final allocation to airlines.

For Boeing, the deal may provide a valuable opportunity to regain visibility in China’s fast-growing aviation sector. For China, the purchase could help support future airline capacity while also sending a positive signal in U.S.-China trade relations.