US President Trump is set to travel to China in April this year, signaling his first state visit since 2017. There are two sides to the discussion: the order for up to 500 narrowbody 737 MAX airplanes and an additional 100 Boeing 787 or Boeing 777X. As reported by Reuters, as discussions heat up, United States plane makers' shares rose 3.7%. 

A Huge Order Could Be Imminent 

China's aviation scene is rapidly intensifying, with forecasts indicating a long-term demand for additional aircraft. China is also considering ordering 500 more planes from Airbus, in addition to what it is considering with Boeing. Negotiations for this deal, which has not yet reached completion, have been ongoing for several years.

Historically, China accounted for around 25% of the Boeing order book. However, in recent years, this has dropped back to 133 aircraft for Chinese airlines, representing approximately 2% of the manufacturer's order book. Trump will be in China at the end of this month (March 31 through April 2), where he will meet with President Xi Jinping. The Chinese president is also expected to visit the White House at some point in 2026. 

Clashes between the two presidents have become evident in responses to trade tariffs and threats to impose export controls on Boeing airplanes (United States) and rare-earth minerals (China).​​​​​​​

Foreign Carriers Ordering Boeing Aircraft Due to Trump 

Trump usually gets what he wants, as seen earlier last year when several Asian carriers placed orders with Boeing as part of trade agreements with the United States. Japan and South Korea ordered over 100 aircraft as Trump pressed trading partners to spend more with American firms.

Since Trump announced a lot of tariffs as part of Liberation Day last year, a pattern has formed. Countries that made deals with the US had their tariffs changed to match. As a result, the Washington-based plane maker has received billions of dollars in orders for planes. Talks with China could greatly improve Boeing's market position and strengthen trade ties between the US and China.

These deals are good for Trump. Aircraft are a clear sign of trade, and these big deals show that countries are serious about improving their relations with the US. Buying planes also doesn't usually hurt local businesses, and it's usually easy for most trading partners because it creates jobs and boosts the economy in the aviation sector without hurting other local businesses too much. 

The Big Three Chinese Airlines 

Like the United States with its 'Big Three' (Delta, American, and United), China has the same (China Southern, China Eastern, and Air China). Unlike the US, all three Chinese carriers are state-owned and dominate most domestic and international traffic. Hainan Airlines, the largest private carrier, accounts for the majority of Chinese aviation.

China Southern is the largest airline in China by fleet size and carries more passengers than any other Chinese carrier. Its main base is at Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport and Beijing Daxing. China Eastern Airlines is part of SkyTeam and operates predominantly from Shanghai Pudong and Hongqiao. It launched the world's longest one-stop flight late last year, commencing flights between Shanghai and Buenos Aires, with a stopover in Auckland, New Zealand. 

Air China is the flag carrier for China and is headquartered in Beijing. A member of the Star Alliance, Air China is known around the world for its extensive network of domestic and international flights. Its biggest hub is in Beijing. Hainan Airlines, the fourth-largest carrier, is well known for a high-quality onboard offering. It centers its operations in Beijing and Haikou. 

Source: Reuters/Simple Flying