Recently, according to insider sources, following a significant reduction in tariff rates reached by both China and the United States, China has lifted a one-month ban on receiving Boeing aircraft after the 90-day tariff truce agreement.
Bloomberg reported that China’s official notification to domestic airlines and government agencies this week signaled a resumption of receiving American-made aircraft, allowing airlines to arrange delivery times and terms on their own. However, this information remains classified and has not been publicly disclosed.
On Monday, China and the United States reached a 90-day agreement to reduce tariffs. China agreed to reduce the 125% tariffs imposed on American goods to 10% and lifted other retaliatory measures against the US since April 2. In return, the US lowered import tariffs on most Chinese goods from 145% to 30%.
Nevertheless, if the tariff dispute between China and the US is not resolved within three months, China’s decision to accept Boeing aircraft deliveries may only be temporary.
In early April, after the Trump administration announced reciprocal tariffs on most major trading partners, China retaliated fiercely, including imposing a ban on Chinese companies from receiving Boeing aircraft. Some aircraft rejected by Chinese customers have already flown back to the US.
At the same time, Boeing warned that it is preparing to find alternative buyers for undelivered orders from China. Interested buyers for the new 737 MAX aircraft have emerged from countries around the world, ranging from India to Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
In late April, Beijing proposed suspending high tariffs on certain US imports, including medical equipment, some industrial chemicals, and aircraft leasing.
Before reaching the tariff reduction agreement with the US, China had granted tariff exemptions to certain aerospace components imported from the US, including engines and landing gear.
During the first-quarter earnings call, Boeing executives stated that the company had planned to deliver 50 aircraft to Chinese airlines this year, with 41 in production or already partially assembled.
Boeing also mentioned that Chinese customers are expected to receive 25 of the 30 undelivered 737 MAX aircraft produced before 2023.
Additionally, data from the Aviation Flights Group flight tracking database indicate that Boeing is manufacturing at least four 777 freighters for Chinese airlines.