Boeing's Chinese Order Hopes Plummet as Summit Looms

Boeing's hopes for a significant Chinese order at this week's Trump-Xi summit are dwindling, according to sources. The US planemaker had been eyeing a deal for as many as 500 aircraft but is now focused on finalizing a provisional agreement for 200 jets, down from initial discussions.

The smaller May agreement brought Boeing back into contention in China after it was largely shut out of the market since 2017. Airbus expanded its share during that period with help from its Tianjin assembly line, which has given it a structural advantage in the country.

Boeing chief executive Kelly Ortberg had already played down expectations for another large order this week, saying the smaller May agreement was an initial tranche and that regaining access to China was the real prize. One aerospace consultant said simply preserving the 200-plane deal would be a win.