According to the latest reports, China has instructed its airlines to cease the acceptance of Boeing aircraft amid the ongoing escalation of the trade conflict with Trump Administration in the United States.
The government in Beijing has also ordered Chinese air carriers to refrain from ordering and buying parts or any aircraft-related equipment from American firms.
This latest escalation arises in the context of a series of mutual tariff increases between the two countries. Last week, the United States raised tariffs on Chinese imports to a cumulative rate of 145%. In retaliation, China implemented 125% tariffs on American goods and limited the export of minerals crucial for high-tech manufacturing.
The order to national airlines was reported following China’s declaration of retaliatory tariffs, which have significantly increased the expenses associated with US-made aircraft and components, rendering their ongoing utilization unfeasible for Chinese carriers.
Furthermore, the Chinese government is reportedly considering initiatives to assist airlines that lease Boeing jets, which are currently experiencing heightened costs.
China represents one of the largest markets for aircraft and has historically comprised as much as 25% of Boeing’s production.
Three leading Chinese airlines – Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, are reportedly set to acquire 45, 53, and 81 aircraft from the American aerospace manufacturer, respectively, within the next two years.
Trump has decried the decision in his Truth Social post today, declaring that Beijing “just reneged on the big Boeing deal, saying that they will ‘not take possession’ of fully committed to aircraft.”
He also addressed some ongoing rumors about the tariffs on iPhones and other Chinese-made devices, disputing them on on Truth Social: “NOBODY is getting ‘off the hook. There was no tariff ‘exception’ announced on Friday. These products are subject to the existing 20% fentanyl tariffs and they are just moving to a different tariff ‘bucket. We are taking a look at Semiconductors and the WHOLE ELECTRONICS SUPPLY CHAIN in the upcoming National Security Tariff Investigations.”
In early April, Trump declared an extensive set of tariffs on countries that he asserted were contributing to an unfair trade deficit with the United States. This move led to retaliatory measures from several nations.
China has condemned the US tariffs, labeling them as “unilateral bullying.”
A spokesperson for Chinese Foreign Ministry stated during a press briefing today: “China will insist on shaking hands rather than shaking fists, tearing down walls instead of building barriers, connecting instead of decoupling.”
The statement follows Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent commencement of series of visits aimed at strengthening relationships with neighboring Asian nations that are also experiencing significant tariffs imposed by the United States.