For the first time in almost a decade, China will buy new commercial aircraft from Boeing, President Donald Trump said Thursday.
Trump, who is currently on a state visit in Beijing, told FOX News that China agreed to purchase 200 Boeing jets.
“One thing he agreed to today, he’s going to order 200 jets,” the president said, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping. “That’s a big thing. Boeings.”
Trump did not go into detail about the deal or say which aircraft type or types China will buy.
If accurate and final, the 200-aircraft figure would be far below Wall Street estimates. Analysts had expected a sale of around 500 jets, given that Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is one of several U.S. executives traveling with the president.
China has strengthened business ties with Airbus over the last decade, and Trump’s visit was seen as a chance for Boeing to reverse that trend and land a significant order.
According to CNBC, Ortberg suggested that a large purchase from China could be in the works on a company earnings call last month.
Neither the White House nor Boeing has commented on Trump’s remarks.
