Boeing's Hopes for New China Jet Order Fade Ahead of U.S.-China Summit

Hopes for a large, new Boeing aircraft order from China are diminishing ahead of a summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday, according to a Reuters report. The planemaker is instead focusing its efforts on finalizing a previously announced deal for 200 jets from May, a shift from earlier expectations of a more substantial agreement.

Shifting Expectations

Negotiations remain fluid, but Boeing is now seeking to complete the May agreement rather than secure commitments for hundreds of additional aircraft, two people briefed on the matter told Reuters. This marks a significant downscaling of expectations that had risen earlier this year after discussions between Boeing, U.S., and Chinese officials about a potential deal involving as many as 500 aircraft.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg had previously described the 200-plane agreement as an "initial tranche," but more recently played down the prospect of a new large order. For investors, this signals that restoring the company's full access to the critical Chinese market remains a gradual and challenging process.

Broader Summit Context

The aircraft deal appears to be a lower priority for the high-stakes summit, which is expected to concentrate on more pressing geopolitical and economic issues. According to Scott Kennedy, a China specialist at the Center for Strategic and International Studies cited by Reuters, the agenda will likely focus on:

Ad

• Extending the broader U.S.-China trade truce
• Establishing safeguards for artificial intelligence
• Discussing Taiwan arms sales
• Finalizing agreements on commodities like soybeans and rare earths

On Wednesday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that the U.S. and China have agreed to extend their trade truce by two months beyond its Nov. 10 expiration.

Status of the May Agreement

While a new mega-deal is unlikely, progress is being made on the existing order. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated this week that about 140 orders were in "good shape," with another 10 being finalized. One source indicated that details on part of the May agreement could still be announced during the summit if contracts are completed in time.

Boeing has been largely excluded from new Chinese orders since 2017, while its European rival Airbus has expanded its footprint. Both planemakers forecast that China will require approximately 9,000 new aircraft by 2045, highlighting the long-term strategic importance of the market.