China has confirmed plans to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft while also seeking an extension of its existing trade agreement and tariff truce with the United States, according to a statement released by the Chinese Commerce Ministry on Wednesday.
The announcement marked Beijing’s first official confirmation of the Boeing order.
The development follows US President Donald Trump’s recent visit to China for summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, which resulted in several new trade commitments, including the aircraft deal and expanded agricultural market access.
Following the summit in Beijing, Trump stated that the Boeing order could eventually increase to as many as 750 aircraft, adding that the planes would be equipped with engines supplied by GE Aerospace.
Under the agreement, the United States will also provide China with supply guarantees for aircraft engine parts and related components, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said.
Both countries are additionally seeking reciprocal tariff reductions covering goods valued at more than US$30 billion each. China stated that US tariff levels on Chinese products should remain within the limits agreed under the Kuala Lumpur trade arrangement.
China and the United States originally reached the agreement in Kuala Lumpur ahead of a Trump-Xi meeting in South Korea in October, extending the tariff truce for another year.
The arrangement included reductions in US tariffs on Chinese goods, while Beijing agreed to pause additional restrictions on rare earth minerals and magnet exports.