Boeing’s 200-jet China deal could hinge on Trump-Xi talks: industry insiders

When President Xi Jinping travels to Washington later this month, he is likely to hop over the Pacific on a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. He will also hold the fate of the American planemaker’s much-touted China deal in his hands.

Beijing agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft during US President Donald Trump’s visit to China in May. But the deal has yet to materialise – and the negotiations could depend on the outcome of Xi’s coming meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, according to industry insiders.

With key details still needing to be agreed – especially the time frame for any purchases – the final deal was likely to be shaped by the broader economic and political bargaining between the two presidents, they said.

“It’s all about the three Ws: whether, when and what,” said a retired aviation executive, who previously oversaw fleet management and engineering at one of China’s largest state-owned airlines.