Boeing Close to Historic 500-Plane Deal with China, Bloomberg Reports

Boeing may be close to selling a large number of jets to China, a significant commercial aerospace market that hasn't ordered planes from the company for a while. Bloomberg reports that Boeing is near a deal for 500 jets. This could be a significant boost for Boeing's backlog of orders, which currently stands at around 6,500 planes. The deal could also be a positive sign for Boeing's recovery from a recent slump in sales.

Boeing is nearing a significant milestone in its commercial aviation dealings with China, as reports suggest the company is close to finalizing a deal for up to 500 jets. This potential order, if confirmed, could be a major boost for Boeing's order backlog, currently standing at around 6,500 planes, and could serve as a significant catalyst for the company's recovery from recent sales slumps [1].

The deal, which has been in the works for some time, is contingent on the resolution of ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. The negotiations, which include discussions on jet models, delivery schedules, and pricing, are being closely monitored by both parties. The deal could potentially serve as a cornerstone in broader trade negotiations, reflecting a thaw in Boeing's relationship with China, where the company has seen a dramatic decline in orders over the past few years [2].

The Chinese aviation market is projected to double its fleet size by 2040, creating demand that exceeds the production capacity of both COMAC and Airbus. This demand, driven by rapid economic growth and urbanization, is expected to outstrip the production capacity of domestic and foreign planemakers, making large-scale purchases of foreign-made aircraft a strategic necessity for China [3].

Complicating the negotiations is a leadership vacuum in China. Alvin Liu, Boeing's former top executive in the country, left his position recently, and Carol Shen has been appointed as interim president of Boeing China. Liu's departure has raised concerns about the continuity of relationships with Chinese regulators and airline executives, but the company remains optimistic about the deal's potential success [4].

Investors have responded cautiously to the news, with Boeing shares rising modestly following reports of progress in negotiations. The outcome of this deal could have far-reaching implications for Boeing's long-term recovery, as well as for the broader U.S.-China trade relationship. The success of the talks will depend on both companies' ability to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape and demonstrate a renewed commitment to collaboration despite ongoing economic and political challenges [5].

References
[1] Boeing in talks to sell up to 500 jets to China, Bloomberg (https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-talks-sell-up-500-jets-china-bloomberg-news-reports-2025-08-21/)
[2] Boeing eyes sale of up to 500 planes to China: report (https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/boeing-eyes-sale-up-500-planes-china-report)
[3] China, Boeing appear near massive order: report (https://leehamnews.com/2025/08/21/china-boeing-appear-near-massive-order-report/)
[4] Boeing Co. is in advanced talks to finalize a deal to sell as many as 500 aircraft to China, according to a Bloomberg report. The agreement, which would end a sales drought dating back to 2017, is contingent on the U.S. and China resolving ongoing trade disputes and could still fall apart. Terms of the complex sale, including specific jet models, volumes, and delivery schedules, are still being negotiated. The potential order mirrors a similar, unannounced agreement China's central planners have with Airbus SE for up to 500 jets. This development follows consultations by Chinese officials with domestic airlines to assess their fleet needs, with talks focusing on Boeing's 737 Max series. The deal is viewed as a potential centerpiece for a broader trade agreement between the two nations. Data from the IndexBox platform shows that China's aviation market is projected to more than double its commercial fleet to over 9,700 aircraft in the next two decades, a growth trajectory that far outpaces the manufacturing capacity of China's domestic planemaker, Comac. Boeing's last major order from China was in November 2017, valued at $37 billion for 300 aircraft. Since the grounding of the 737 Max in 2019, Airbus has dominated sales and deliveries to the country. Boeing has recorded only 30 orders from Chinese carriers and lessors since the start of 2019. Complicating the negotiations is a recent leadership change at Boeing China, where top executive Alvin Liu departed and was replaced on an interim basis by Carol Shen. A finalized deal would secure valuable delivery slots for Chinese airlines at a time when both major planemakers are largely sold out through the 2030s. MARKET SIZE: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035) CONSUMPTION BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035) MARKET FORECAST TO 2035 IMPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035) IMPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035) IMPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035) EXPORTS: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035) EXPORTS BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035) EXPORT PRICES BY COUNTRY: HISTORICAL DATA (2012–2024) AND FORECAST (2025–2035) Market Volume, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Market Value: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Consumption, by Country, 2024 Market Volume Forecast to 2035 Market Value Forecast to 2035 Market Size and Growth, By Product Average Per Capita Consumption, By Product Exports and Growth, By Product Export Prices and Growth, By Product Production Volume and Growth Exports and Growth Export Prices and Growth Market Size and Growth Per Capita Consumption Imports and Growth Import Prices Production, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Production, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Production, by Country, 2024 Production, In Physical Terms, by Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Imports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Imports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country, 2024 Imports, In Physical Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Imports, In Value Terms, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Import Prices, By Country: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Exports, In Physical Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and Forecast (2025–2035) Exports, In Value Terms: Historical Data (2012–2024) and