Boeing CEO: Counting on Trump Administration to Help Secure Massive China Order
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg stated the company is relying on the Trump administration's help during the upcoming US-China summit to secure a long-awaited massive aircraft order from China, admitting it's unlikely without government support.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 17:16
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- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 18:50 (1h 18m after Collected)
Taipei, April 23 (CNA) -- With the Trump-Xi summit expected to take place in Beijing in mid-May, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said yesterday that Boeing is counting on the Trump administration to help the company secure a long-awaited massive order from China. He stated bluntly that without government support, he doesn't think they will see any large orders from China in the near future.
Reuters reported that Ortberg made these remarks in an interview on the 22nd. It was previously rumored that China intends to purchase at least 500 Boeing aircraft as part of a US-China trade agreement. Expectations are that Trump will bring this up directly with Xi Jinping next month.
Ortberg also added that Boeing has reached "a good solution" with Chinese airlines regarding the supply of key aircraft components.
Trump had previously threatened to cut off supply channels to China, including aircraft engine spare parts, as part of his ongoing trade dispute with China.
Ortberg said bluntly: "Without government support, I don't think we will see any big orders from China in the near term; this is really intertwined with the government's efforts."
The report noted that Boeing and China have been engaged in long-term negotiations over a deal that industry insiders say could include 500 737 MAX aircraft and dozens of wide-body planes. This would be China's first large order placed with Boeing since 2017.
The report also mentioned that Boeing plans to increase its 737 production at its Renton, Washington factory from 42 a month to 47 by this summer. The company also plans to open a new production line called the "North Line" in Everett, Washington, this summer.
Ortberg indicated that this new production line is not expected to contribute to Boeing's output until early next year, by which time the company aims to increase monthly production to 52 aircraft. "We are going to increase production across the board," he said.
Following French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China in December 2025, Chinese airlines successively announced purchases of European Airbus aircraft, accumulating 249 orders as of March 5.
Reuters reported that Ortberg made these remarks in an interview on the 22nd. It was previously rumored that China intends to purchase at least 500 Boeing aircraft as part of a US-China trade agreement. Expectations are that Trump will bring this up directly with Xi Jinping next month.
Ortberg also added that Boeing has reached "a good solution" with Chinese airlines regarding the supply of key aircraft components.
Trump had previously threatened to cut off supply channels to China, including aircraft engine spare parts, as part of his ongoing trade dispute with China.
Ortberg said bluntly: "Without government support, I don't think we will see any big orders from China in the near term; this is really intertwined with the government's efforts."
The report noted that Boeing and China have been engaged in long-term negotiations over a deal that industry insiders say could include 500 737 MAX aircraft and dozens of wide-body planes. This would be China's first large order placed with Boeing since 2017.
The report also mentioned that Boeing plans to increase its 737 production at its Renton, Washington factory from 42 a month to 47 by this summer. The company also plans to open a new production line called the "North Line" in Everett, Washington, this summer.
Ortberg indicated that this new production line is not expected to contribute to Boeing's output until early next year, by which time the company aims to increase monthly production to 52 aircraft. "We are going to increase production across the board," he said.
Following French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to China in December 2025, Chinese airlines successively announced purchases of European Airbus aircraft, accumulating 249 orders as of March 5.