China is showing strong interest in purchasing additional Boeing aircraft beyond an existing agreement to buy 200 jets [1].
The potential expansion of this deal serves as a critical diplomatic lever for the Trump administration as it seeks to strengthen trade ties and negotiate tariff reductions. The aviation agreement acts as a primary focal point for economic cooperation between the two superpowers.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said to the Senate Finance Committee that China is very interested in acquiring more planes. He said that while the two nations agreed to 200 aeroplanes during a previous visit, the U.S. will see if they commit to a larger number when President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington in September 2026 [2].
President Donald Trump (R-FL) previously suggested the scale of the deal could grow significantly. Trump said China will buy 200 planes from Boeing and could purchase up to 750 jets "if they do a good job" [3].
These negotiations are closely tied to broader trade disputes. A spokesperson for the Chinese Commerce Ministry said Wednesday, May 20, that China will buy 200 Boeing aircraft and work with the U.S. to reduce tariffs [4]. The move is seen as an effort to seek an extension of the U.S. tariff truce [5].
The Trump administration intends to raise the Boeing purchase issue during the September visit to ensure the commitments translate into finalized contracts. This strategy aims to boost U.S. manufacturing and reduce the trade deficit through large-scale capital goods exports.
“"We will see if they commit to a larger number when Xi Jinping arrives in Washington."”
The use of large-scale aircraft orders as a diplomatic bargaining chip indicates that the U.S. is prioritizing tangible trade wins and manufacturing boosts to offset political tension. By linking Boeing purchases to tariff negotiations, the administration is leveraging China's need for aviation infrastructure to secure economic concessions ahead of the high-stakes September summit.
