The trade tensions between the U.S. and China continues to escalate as Beijing has reportedly ordered its airlines to halt further deliveries of Boeing jets.
This is according to a report by Bloomberg News citing sources familiar with the matter. The move is seen as a direct reciprocal response to Trump’s Administration’s recent imposition of tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese imports.
The ban marks a significant blow to Boeing, which counts China among its most important markets. Between 2025 and 2027, China’s three largest airlines which are Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern, according to reports, were scheduled to take delivery of nearly 180 Boeing aircraft. That schedule is now in limbo.
Adding to the pressure, the Chinese government has also reportedly instructed domestic carriers to stop purchasing aircraft-related parts and equipment from U.S. firms.
Another report by Reuters suggest that the full extent of these restrictions, if fully enforced, could have major implications for global supply chains and China’s own aviation ambitions.
The U.S. aerospace industry has been drawn deeper into the broader trade war, with major players reviewing contracts and delivery plans amid growing uncertainty. While analysts suggest Boeing could redirect some aircraft to other buyers, the long-term loss of access to China could be damaging, especially as European rival Airbus continues to dominate the Chinese market.
Moreover, China’s own aviation program, including its domestically developed C919 jet, depends heavily on U.S.-made components. Bank of America analyst Ron Epstein warned that cutting off imports of American parts could cripple the C919 program entirely.
This development adds to a series of challenges facing Boeing, including ongoing regulatory scrutiny and production setbacks. The company’s stock, already down over 30% this year, dipped further on the news.
With trade between the world’s two largest economies valued at over $650 billion in 2024, the growing tit-for-tat tariff war now threatens to derail key sectors like aviation, raising the stakes for global markets and international diplomacy.
