China has instructed its airlines to stop accepting deliveries of new aircraft from US manufacturer Boeing, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing trade conflict between Beijing and Washington. According to multiple reports, including Bloomberg and Reuters, Chinese authorities have also directed carriers to suspend purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from American companies as part of retaliatory measures against recent US tariffs.
The move comes in response to the Trump administration’s imposition of tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese goods, which Beijing has condemned as unlawful “bullying.” In retaliation, China raised its own tariffs on US imports to 125%, significantly increasing the cost of Boeing jets and components for Chinese airlines. This has made it financially impractical for Chinese carriers to continue accepting Boeing deliveries under the current tariff regime.
Chinese officials are reportedly exploring ways to support airlines that lease Boeing aircraft and are facing rising maintenance and operational costs due to the tariffs. The situation is prompting Chinese airlines to consider alternatives, including European manufacturer Airbus and domestic producer COMAC, to meet their fleet expansion needs.
The directive has already impacted Boeing’s stock, which fell sharply in premarket trading following the news. Boeing, a major US exporter with customers in over 150 countries, has delivered 18 aircraft to nine Chinese airlines so far this year, with plans for many more deliveries in the coming years. The halt threatens to disrupt these plans and complicate Boeing’s position in the lucrative Chinese aviation market.
This development underscores the intensifying tit-for-tat trade war between the world’s two largest economies, with both sides imposing steep tariffs and retaliatory measures. Despite a temporary freeze on some tariff hikes announced by President Trump, China was excluded from exemptions, and tensions remain high.
The suspension of Boeing jet deliveries highlights the broader economic and geopolitical fallout from the trade dispute, affecting global supply chains, corporate strategies, and international relations. As the conflict continues, the aviation industry and global markets are bracing for further uncertainty and disruption.
