Boeing’s Potential 500-Aircraft China Deal Fails to Lift Stock

Boeing (NYSE:BA) is negotiating a landmark sale of up to 500 aircraft to China as part of ongoing trade discussions between Presidents TRUMP and Xi Jinping. Unlike previous announcements, this deal reportedly includes firm delivery commitments—yet markets remained skeptical, with BA shares dipping slightly in Thursday trading.

The proposed order serves dual purposes: narrowing China's trade deficit with the U.S. while addressing Boeing's need for large-scale orders amid production bottlenecks. Delivery timelines remain uncertain given Boeing's current manufacturing capacity, with model specifications still under negotiation.

Leadership changes compound the challenges—Boeing China President Alvin Liu recently departed, with Carol Shen slated as his replacement. The executive shuffle coincides with delicate trade negotiations where aircraft often serve as geopolitical bargaining chips.