American aerospace company Boeing has confirmed that China agreed to purchase 200 aircraft during the recent visit of US President Donald Trump to Beijing, in what could become one of the biggest aviation deals in history.
The company disclosed on Friday that the agreement represents an initial commitment, with expectations that China could eventually expand the order to as many as 750 aircraft if negotiations continue successfully.
Boeing’s Chief Executive Officer, Kelly Ortberg, was part of the American delegation that travelled to China alongside Trump.
According to Boeing, the visit achieved its primary goal of reopening the Chinese market for new aircraft orders after years of disruptions caused by trade tensions and aviation restrictions.
The company, however, did not reveal the exact aircraft models included in the deal.
Trump had earlier hinted at the agreement during an interview, saying China planned to order “200 big ones,” adding that the arrangement could later grow into what may become the largest aircraft order ever recorded if the first phase succeeds.
Reports from US media suggest the wider package could include around 500 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft alongside approximately 100 long-haul planes such as the 787 Dreamliner and 777 models.
China’s previous major Boeing order came in 2017 during Trump’s first visit to Beijing, when Chinese airlines ordered 300 aircraft in a deal reportedly worth about $37 billion.
The renewed partnership is seen as a major boost for Boeing, especially after years of difficulties involving the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX following two deadly crashes involving Lion Air in 2018 and Ethiopian Airlines in 2019, which killed 346 people.
China was also the final major aviation market to clear the aircraft for operations again, only fully reauthorising the model in 2023 after extended safety reviews.
Boeing’s relationship with China had further deteriorated during the trade tensions that intensified after Trump’s return to office in 2025, when Beijing temporarily restricted Chinese companies from ordering or receiving Boeing aircraft.
However, a later trade truce between both countries reopened the market and paved the way for fresh negotiations.
The development is particularly significant because China, South Asia and Southeast Asia are expected to account for nearly half of global aircraft demand over the next two decades.
In its latest aviation forecast, Boeing projected that around 44,000 commercial aircraft would be needed worldwide by 2044 to meet rising travel demand and replace older fleets.
The company currently has more than 6,800 aircraft on order globally, including over 4,300 units of the 737 MAX family, with an estimated total order value of about $600 billion.