Boeing China Order Progresses; No New Deal Expected Before Trump-Xi Meeting

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said Monday that China is progressing on its commitment to buy 200 Boeing (BA) aircraft announced in May, but gave no signal of an imminent additional order ahead of this week's meeting between President Trump and President Xi Jinping. Speaking on Fox News on September 21, Greer said about 140 of the jets earmarked for Chinese carriers are "moving along well," with another 10 being converted into written orders. He did not detail talks or delivery timing for the remaining aircraft. Trump said in May that China could ultimately expand Boeing purchases to as many as 750 planes, fueling market expectations for a follow-on order during this week's leaders' summit. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg downplayed those expectations last week, saying more orders may come over time but airlines will decide their own pace of disclosure. He previously described the 200-jet commitment as the "first tranche" of a potentially larger deal.