China eyes $50bn Boeing jet deal in possible breakthrough for U.S. ties

Beijing is in talks with Boeing over a potential order of up to 500 aircrafts, a deal that could reshape the U.S. manufacturer’s fortunes in China after years of stalled sales.

The discussions came to light during a visit by a delegation of U.S. lawmakers, with Ambassador David Purdue suggesting negotiations may be entering their final stretch.

If concluded, the order would be one of Boeing’s largest in history and a rare commercial breakthrough in a market increasingly dominated by its European rival, Airbus.

The possible purchase comes against the backdrop of prolonged US-China tensions, where trade disputes, tariffs, and regulatory obstacles have heavily constrained Boeing’s access to the Chinese market.

Deliveries of the 737 MAX, once Boeing’s best-selling jet, were frozen for years following safety concerns and political friction, giving Airbus a decisive edge. At the same time, Beijing has nurtured its own aerospace ambitions through COMAC, developer of the domestically built C919 jet, showing China’s long-term goal of reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

The last major Boeing order from China dates back to November 2017, when China Aviation Supplies Holding Co. signed a deal for 300 planes valued at about $37 billion during President Donald Trump’s state visit in his first term.

Since then, large-scale purchases have stalled amid escalating trade and geopolitical disputes, leaving Boeing largely sidelined from one of the world’s most vital aviation markets.

For Boeing, the prospect of a 500-plane deal represents not only a critical commercial lifeline but also an opportunity to reassert itself in China at a time when its global competitiveness has been under pressure.

For Beijing, moving forward with the purchase could signal a willingness to compartmentalise aviation trade from the ongoing political disputes, while also ensuring sufficient supply to meet the surging demand of its airlines.

Whether the deal ultimately proceeds may hinge on delicate political calculations in both capitals, balancing the need for cooperation against the realities of enduring strategic rivalry.

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