In a major shift signaling thawing trade relations, China has officially lifted its freeze on accepting Boeing aircraft deliveries. This decision follows a new 90-day trade agreement between Beijing and Washington, where both countries will temporarily slash tariffs by 115%. The agreement is seen as a short-term fix aimed at relieving pressure on key industries, particularly aerospace, while deeper negotiations continue. The U.S.-China détente comes after years of escalating tensions that began under the Trump administration.
Chinese aviation authorities have begun informing domestic airlines and relevant government agencies that Boeing deliveries may now resume. This reverses a years-long restriction tied to tariffs that made aircraft imports economically unviable. Previously, several jets were turned away by Chinese carriers and sent back to the U.S., leaving Boeing with an inventory surplus. The tariff reduction is expected to ease that bottleneck and restart stalled deliveries.
China is a vital market for Boeing, accounting for about 10% of its commercial order book. The aerospace giant has already lined up around 50 planes for delivery to Chinese airlines this year, including 41 that were either pre-built or in final stages of assembly. With the ban lifted, 25 out of 30 idle 737 MAX aircraft are expected to be accepted by Chinese carriers. Additionally, four 777 freighter jets are now in production for Chinese clients, signaling renewed confidence in Boeing’s role in the Chinese aviation ecosystem.
This development follows a recent trend of Beijing selectively easing restrictions on aerospace components, including aircraft engines and landing gear. However, full approval for Boeing deliveries had been withheld until now. The aviation sector, hit hard by trade war fallout, is one of the biggest beneficiaries of this temporary tariff rollback. Boeing, wary of customizing planes for alternative buyers due to configuration differences, has long awaited this green light to clear its inventory backlog.
The agreement was struck after intense negotiations in Geneva and represents the first significant breakthrough in U.S.-China trade since 2019. Tariffs on Chinese imports into the U.S. will fall from 145% to 30%, with fentanyl-related measures included in the rollback. Whether this truce becomes a lasting resolution remains uncertain, but for now, the skies between the two economic superpowers seem a little clearer — for both diplomacy and commercial aviation.
Source: Nairametrics