Trump Claims China Agreed to Buy 200 Boeing Jets Valued at $17‑19 Billion

During a press briefing on Air Force One, President Donald Trump announced that China had committed to buying roughly 200 Boeing aircraft, noting the order could expand to as many as 750 jets if the planes perform well. He added that the jets would be equipped with GE Aerospace engines. The statement came amid a broader U.S. effort to boost exports to China during Trump’s Beijing visit, where several American CEOs accompanied the president. Historically, China has been a major market for Boeing, but recent trade tensions and the rise of domestic competitor COMAC have limited sales.

- Trump said the deal includes about 200 Boeing jets, with a potential increase to up to 750 planes if performance is satisfactory. - No confirmation from China or Boeing regarding the claimed 200‑plane deal. - Aviation intelligence firm IBA estimated the purported 200‑plane Boeing order to be worth between $17 billion and $19 billion, assuming roughly 80 percent of the mix consists of 737 MAX narrow‑body jets. - IBA also noted the value could rise to $25 billion if a larger share (about 40 percent) of the order were widebody aircraft. - Boeing’s shares fell roughly 4 percent on Thursday after the comment, then eased to a 2.6 percent decline on Friday; GE Aerospace shares dropped 2 percent.

The announcement, if realized, would represent a significant boost for Boeing’s order book and help narrow the gap with Airbus in China, where the European rival currently leads. However, the lack of confirmation from either party leaves the claim unverified, and market reaction shows skepticism. Analysts note that any large order would likely be split among China’s three state‑run carriers and would depend on assurances of after‑sales support, a factor that has previously deterred Chinese buyers amid concerns over possible U.S. export restrictions.