US President Trump announces China to purchase fewer Boeing planes than anticipated

US President Donald Trump has announced that China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing jets, with the potential for the order to rise to as many as 750 planes. The deal includes approximately 200 planes and a promise of up to 750 if certain conditions are met.

According to Trump, the planes will have GE Aerospace engines. No official statements from either the Chinese government or Boeing have confirmed the purchase agreement, which would be a significant breakthrough in the US aerospace market.

The announcement comes as part of a trip by Trump to Beijing, where he was joined by a group of US CEOs seeking to sell products and services to China. The deal is expected to be worth around $17 billion to $25 billion, depending on the mix of aircraft ordered.

China’s purchase would secure capacity for its growing aviation market and help Boeing narrow the gap with rival Airbus in the Chinese market. Industry sources had previously reported that Boeing was in negotiations for at least 500 narrowbody jets tied to the Beijing summit, with dozens of widebody jets potentially following.

The deal is seen as a potential win for Trump, who has faced criticism over his trade policies. However, concerns about after-sales support have weighed on buying decisions, according to industry experts. The Chinese government’s decision to purchase Boeing jets will be closely watched in the coming months.

Source: Al Jazeera