Talks point to 737 Max deal and possible widebody package
Boeing is in advanced discussions over a potential aircraft sale to China that could rank among the largest orders in the manufacturer’s history, according to a report that said the announcement may be timed to coincide with President Donald Trump traveling to Beijing later this month. The report described negotiations for a purchase of roughly 500 737 Max jets, alongside a separate widebody component that could include about 100 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft.
Boeing declined to comment, and Reuters said it could not independently confirm the report. People familiar with the talks told Reuters the discussions remain ongoing with several unresolved sticking points, indicating that the outline described is not yet a finalized agreement.
Boeing shares rose 3.7% in afternoon trading following the report, reflecting investor sensitivity to signals of a renewed China pipeline at a time when the company’s commercial recovery depends heavily on large international campaigns.
China also negotiates a separate Airbus order of similar size
China is simultaneously in talks with Airbus over another order of about 500 aircraft that would be separate from any Boeing deal, according to the same report. That Airbus negotiation has moved in and out of focus since at least 2024, underscoring how Chinese aircraft procurement can involve parallel discussions with both major manufacturers.
For Beijing, a dual-track approach can preserve leverage on pricing, delivery schedules and industrial offsets. For Boeing, it raises the stakes around timing and terms, particularly in an environment shaped by geopolitical bargaining and supply chain constraints.
Trade tensions complicate aviation diplomacy
The aircraft negotiations are unfolding against a backdrop of renewed friction between Washington and Beijing. Trump is expected to visit China from March 31 to April 2, with Xi Jinping expected to visit Washington later in the year, according to the information provided. The timing matters because civil aviation deals have historically been used as diplomatic signposts, especially when broader trade disputes are active.
The report noted that Trump had threatened export controls on Boeing aircraft parts as a response to Chinese limits on exports of rare earth minerals. Such measures can quickly spill into aviation, where supply chains span multiple countries and regulatory approvals can be leveraged as pressure points.
Beijing previously used delivery approvals as a tool during trade clashes. In April, China ordered airlines to temporarily stop taking deliveries of new Boeing jets, according to the summary, before deliveries resumed later that spring. The episode illustrated how political signals can translate into operational disruptions for manufacturers and carriers.
Boeing’s China exposure has shrunk since earlier cycles
The potential scale of the new discussions stands out partly because Boeing’s footprint in China has diminished from prior peaks. China once accounted for roughly 25% of Boeing’s order book, but Boeing now has only 133 orders from Chinese airlines, described as about 2% of its overall backlog.
A large new order would therefore represent not just incremental volume but a sharp change in the mix of Boeing’s commercial pipeline. It would also add long-cycle production visibility for the 737 Max program and, if included, strengthen demand signals for widebody aircraft that serve long-haul routes.
The report also noted Boeing has secured several large aircraft commitments from foreign carriers following Trump visits, highlighting how state visits can serve as a venue for finalizing major industrial contracts. Whether the China talks reach the same outcome remains uncertain, given the unresolved negotiation issues cited and the existence of competing Airbus discussions.