Up in the air? Why Boeing’s massive China deal could hinge on Trump-Xi talks - South China Morning Post

Beijing agreed to buy 200 Boeing jets during Trump’s visit to China in May. But the deal has yet to materialise – and could depend on summit outcome

Frank Chenin ShanghaiPublished: 8:00pm, 20 Sep 2026When President Xi Jinping travels to Washington later this month, he is likely to hop over the Pacific on a Boeing 747 jumbo jet. He will also hold the fate of the American planemaker’s much-touted China deal in his hands.

With key details still needing to be agreed – especially the time frame for any purchases – the final deal was likely to be shaped by the broader economic and political bargaining between the two presidents, they said.

“It’s all about the three Ws: whether, when and what,” said a retired aviation executive, who previously oversaw fleet management and engineering at one of China’s largest state-owned airlines.