China Lifts Ban on Boeing Deliveries After US-China Tariff Truce
In a major development for the global aviation industry, China has removed a ban on deliveries of Boeing aircraft, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing sources familiar with the matter. This decision follows a temporary easing of tariff tensions between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies.
Deliveries Resume After Trade War Disruption
Officials in Beijing have reportedly instructed domestic airlines and agencies to resume acceptance of US-manufactured aircraft. The move comes just weeks after Boeing had repatriated at least three jets from its Chinese delivery center back to the US due to the impasse.
Last month, Boeing had publicly confirmed that Chinese customers would not be taking delivery of new planes amid the trade war and had considered reselling dozens of aircraft.
Tariff Truce Sparks Hope for Aviation Industry
On Monday, both countries agreed to cut reciprocal tariffs — some of which exceeded 100% — during a 90-day negotiation window. This temporary truce, reached after talks in Geneva, has led to optimism in various industries, with the aviation sector being one of the most impacted.
Boeing declined to comment on the latest report by Bloomberg. Likewise, China’s Civil Aviation Administration and several Chinese carriers did not respond to media requests.
China’s Role in Boeing’s Business
China accounts for about 10% of Boeing’s commercial aircraft backlog and remains a crucial growth market. During the company’s Q1 earnings call, executives noted that 50 aircraft were planned for Chinese carriers in 2025, with 41 already in production or pre-built.
Despite Boeing’s openness to reallocating the planes to other airlines, customizations like seating configurations—ordered and paid for by Chinese airlines—posed challenges to reselling.
According to Boeing:
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25 of the 30 remaining 737 MAX jets built before 2023 are expected to go to China.
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At least four 777 freighters are also being produced for Chinese customers.
Selective Tariff Exemptions Already in Place
Even before this broader trade thaw, China had granted limited tariff exemptions on aerospace components such as engines and landing gear. The latest move appears to be a significant expansion in policy direction, signaling a potential thaw in trade relations and a strategic re-engagement with US aerospace manufacturers.
Conclusion
As tensions ease and deliveries resume, Boeing and Chinese airlines may regain momentum lost to the trade war. While full normalization remains uncertain, the removal of the delivery ban offers a clear sign of progress in US-China commercial relations—particularly in the high-stakes aerospace industry.
