China reportedly halts Boeing jet deliveries amid escalating trade war

China has ordered its airlines to suspend further deliveries of Boeing jets in response to the United States' decision to impose 145% tariffs on Chinese goods, according to a Bloomberg News report on Tuesday.

This move escalates the ongoing trade dispute between the two countries, adding pressure to Boeing, which considers China one of its key markets.

Shares of Boeing fell by 3% in premarket trading following the news, while shares of its rival Airbus rose by 1%. The suspension of deliveries is a significant blow to Boeing, as China is a major growth market for the company. The country's top three airlines—Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines—were set to receive 45, 53, and 81 Boeing jets, respectively, between 2025 and 2027.

In addition to halting the delivery of Boeing aircraft, the Chinese government has reportedly instructed Chinese carriers to cease purchasing aircraft-related parts and equipment from U.S. companies. This could lead to higher maintenance costs for Boeing jets operating in China, compounding the difficulties faced by the American aerospace giant.

China’s decision follows a broader pattern of retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs. Last week, Beijing raised tariffs on U.S. imports to 125%, significantly increasing the cost of Boeing jets for Chinese carriers. This move may push airlines to consider alternatives, including Airbus and China's domestic aircraft manufacturer COMAC.

The halt in deliveries to China is a setback for Boeing, which has already been grappling with the fallout from the grounding of its 737 MAX jets after two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. Boeing's recovery has been slow, compounded by labor strikes, regulatory scrutiny, and supply chain disruptions.

The escalating tariffs between the U.S. and China have the potential to severely impact global trade, with analysts warning that the ongoing trade war could bring goods trade between the two largest economies to a standstill. In 2024, trade between the two nations was valued at over $650 billion.

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