"One thing he agreed to today, he’s going to order 200 jets ... 200 big ones."
President Donald Trump stated in a Fox News interview that Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to an order of 200 Boeing aircraft. The announcement was made during the U.S.-China summit, though specific terms, models, and delivery timelines have not been disclosed.
Announcement and Context
President Trump made the statement during an appearance on Hannity, citing a conversation with President Xi. China has not formally confirmed this agreement.
The reported figure of 200 jets is lower than earlier speculation. Analysts at Jefferies had previously anticipated a potential order of up to 500 aircraft ahead of the summit. Reuters had also reported a roughly 500-plane package as being under discussion.
Market and Industry Reaction
Following Trump's announcement, Boeing shares declined by over 4% in early afternoon trading on Thursday. The White House has not issued a statement regarding the market’s reaction, and Boeing declined to comment immediately.
Boeing has not secured a major order from China in nearly a decade, with Chinese carriers increasingly purchasing aircraft from Airbus, Boeing’s main competitor. During a company earnings call last month, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg described the summit as a potential "meaningful opportunity" for an aircraft order but did not specify a number.
Background on Boeing's Position
The 737 Max is Boeing’s best-selling aircraft model. President Trump did not specify which models China might purchase, though analysts had previously predicted that any significant order would likely include hundreds of 737 Max planes. CEO Kelly Ortberg and other U.S. executives accompanied Trump on the trip to China. Details regarding delivery schedules and the exact composition of the potential order have not been made available.