The United States and China are close to finalizing a major aircraft order with Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA), according to US Ambassador to China David Perdue. Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing on Tuesday, Perdue described the negotiations as being in their final stages and suggested a deal could be signed soon.
Perdue did not provide details on the size or structure of the agreement. However, he stressed its significance for both governments and Boeing. “This is a huge order, and it’s very important to the president. Very important for Boeing. I think it’s very important to China,” he said.
The remarks came during a visit by a bipartisan group of US lawmakers who met Chinese officials in Beijing this week. Their trip follows a phone conversation between the US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which signaled progress in broader trade discussions.
Boeing has been working to complete a deal with China that could involve as many as 500 aircraft, as reported in August. Such an order would mark the largest in recent years and would also end a sales drought for the company in China. Boeing last secured a significant order there during President Trump’s 2017 state visit.
China is one of the world’s biggest aviation markets, and fresh demand there could give Boeing a much-needed boost. The company has struggled in recent years with slower orders and tighter scrutiny of its aircraft. Securing a new deal would improve its standing and help it compete more effectively with global rivals.
In August, Boeing agreed to sell at least 14 more 777-9 aircraft to Cathay Pacific Airways. On Monday, the company announced a separate deal with Uzbekistan Airways for 22 Dreamliners. These transactions highlight Boeing’s efforts to regain market share after years of limited sales activity.
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The potential Boeing order comes as Washington and Beijing attempt to improve trade relations. The two countries recently reached a framework for ByteDance Ltd. to sell its US-based TikTok operations, removing one of several issues that had strained ties.
Perdue emphasized that the aircraft agreement would serve as an essential step in broader trade negotiations. Analysts view the deal as a possible centerpiece of ongoing talks, reflecting progress in cooperation between the world’s two largest economies.
Boeing stock rose in premarket US trading on Tuesday following news of Perdue’s comments. The stock has gained more than 23% since the start of the year, supported by renewed investor optimism about global air travel demand.