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A China Eastern Airlines Boeing 777 aircraft is captured in flight against a cloudy blue sky. The plane features a special livery with a panda graphic and the slogan "NEW ERA SHARED FUTURE." By MDL.

Economy

China-Boeing Deal: Can a New Jet Order Revive US-China Relations?

U.S. delegation met with China to discuss a Boeing deal. Talks aim to improve ties, revive stalled aircraft orders.

byAndres Castro

September 23, 2025, 8:30 AM

Executive Summary

A U.S. bipartisan delegation, led by Representative Adam Smith, is in Beijing discussing a potential landmark deal for China to purchase a substantial number of Boeing aircraft, signaling an effort to revive stalled orders and improve U.S.-China relations.

The proposed deal involves China buying up to 500 Boeing jets, which would mark the first major Chinese purchase since President Trump’s first term, after orders largely stagnated due to U.S.-China trade tensions.

Beyond economic discussions, the delegation engaged in high-level diplomatic talks with top Chinese officials, including on broader security issues and the necessity for increased military dialogue.

The Story So Far

The potential Boeing deal and the bipartisan U.S. delegation’s visit to China are happening amidst a period where Boeing’s orders from China have largely stagnated since President Trump’s first term due to U.S.-China trade tensions. This initiative also follows a significant deterioration in overall U.S.-China relations since 2019, making the current high-level engagement a concerted effort by both nations to revive stalled trade, mend strained diplomatic ties, and stabilize their broader economic and security relationship.

Why This Matters

The potential landmark deal for China to purchase a substantial number of Boeing aircraft, which Ambassador Purdue noted is important to President Trump, signals a significant revival for the U.S. aerospace giant in a key market after years of stalled orders. This agreement, alongside the bipartisan delegation’s visit and discussions on increased military dialogue, represents a concerted effort to stabilize and improve broader U.S.-China economic and diplomatic relations, aiming to foster mutual understanding and prevent potential conflicts.

Who Thinks What?

The U.S. bipartisan delegation, led by Representative Adam Smith, and U.S. Ambassador David Purdue view the potential Boeing deal as a crucial step to revive U.S. exports, improve U.S.-China relations, and emphasize its importance to President Trump, while also advocating for increased military dialogue to prevent conflict.

Boeing is actively pursuing the sale of up to 500 jets to China, seeing it as a significant breakthrough to resume sales in the world’s second-largest aviation market after a period of stagnation due to trade tensions.

A U.S. bipartisan delegation, led by Representative Adam Smith, engaged with top Chinese officials in Beijing this week, discussing a potential landmark deal for China to purchase a substantial number of Boeing aircraft. This initiative signals a push to revive stalled orders for the U.S. aerospace giant amidst ongoing efforts to improve U.S.-China relations, according to statements made on Tuesday. U.S. Ambassador to China David Purdue noted that negotiations are in their “last days or weeks,” emphasizing the deal’s importance to President Trump.

The Potential Boeing Deal

Boeing is reportedly in discussions to sell as many as 500 jets to China, a move that would mark a significant breakthrough for the company in the world’s second-largest aviation market. Orders from China have largely stagnated due to U.S.-China trade tensions in recent years.

Representative Smith highlighted the duration since a major Boeing sale to China, expressing hope that the “good company, good product” could resume selling airplanes in the country. Boeing, a leading U.S. exporter, historically delivered approximately a quarter of its planes to China but has not secured a major Chinese purchase since President Trump’s first term.

Diplomatic Engagement Amidst Tensions

The delegation’s visit, which commenced on Sunday, represents the first by a U.S. House of Representatives group to China since 2019, a period marked by deteriorating U.S.-China relations exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. This high-level engagement follows a recent conversation between President Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, as both nations seek to mend ties beyond their current tariff truce.

During their stay, the U.S. lawmakers met with China’s second-ranking official, Li Qiang, on Sunday, followed by discussions with economy tsar He Lifeng and Defence Minister Dong Jun on Monday. Ambassador Purdue also conducted a visit to Boeing’s plant in Tianjin last week, located approximately 150 kilometers southeast of Beijing.

Broader Dialogue on Security

Beyond economic discussions, the delegation also raised the necessity for increased military dialogue with Chinese officials. Representative Smith underscored the importance of such conversations, particularly given the scale of nuclear arsenals.

“I think when you’re getting up into the hundreds close to a thousand nuclear weapons, it’s time to start having a conversation about it to make sure we understand each other and we don’t stumble into any sort of conflict,” Smith stated at a press conference at the U.S. embassy in Beijing.

Outlook for U.S.-China Relations

The ongoing discussions surrounding the Boeing deal and the bipartisan delegation’s visit underscore a concerted effort to stabilize and improve U.S.-China economic and diplomatic relations. Securing this aerospace agreement could signal a positive step forward in bilateral trade, while broader dialogues aim to foster mutual understanding and prevent potential conflicts.