China has lifted a month-long ban on Boeing aircraft deliveries, following trade talks with the United States, according to The Guardian, which cited sources. The decision follows a breakthrough in trade negotiations between the world’s two largest economies. As part of the tentative agreement, the US has slashed tariffs on most Chinese imports from a steep 145 per cent to 30 per cent for a 90-day window, while China has lowered its 125 per cent duties on US goods to 10 per cent and suspended several retaliatory measures.Sources said that Chinese authorities have begun informing state-owned airlines and aviation agencies this week that they may now resume deliveries of US-made aircraft. Airlines have been given discretion to arrange the timing and logistics of those deliveries independently.The move offers a much-needed lift to Boeing Co., which has been struggling with multiple headwinds, including safety concerns, production issues, and the fallout from global trade disputes. The resumption of deliveries will not only spare the US aerospace giant the cost and time of finding new buyers for approximately 50 planes destined for Chinese carriers this year, but will also unlock a fresh round of payments once the jets are handed over.China is expected to account for 20 per cent of global aircraft demand over the next 20 years, making it a crucial market for both Boeing and its European rival Airbus. In 2018, about a quarter of Boeing’s production went to China, but relations have cooled since then due to trade hostilities and a series of safety and quality issues plaguing the US manufacturer.Boeing’s troubles in China began in earnest after the Trump administration’s tariff blitz, which triggered retaliatory duties from Beijing. The Chinese government then barred local carriers from accepting new Boeing deliveries, pushing some jets to be returned to the US and prompting Boeing to explore alternative markets like India, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.Signs of a possible détente first emerged in late April when China expressed its willingness to normalise trade ties with US firms. Beijing offered to temporarily lift duties on certain American products, including medical devices, chemicals, and aviation leases — a gesture seen as a soft opening for further talks.Despite the progress, uncertainties remain. A Boeing spokesperson declined to comment on the development, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China has yet to issue an official statement. The three-month reprieve could prove fleeting if broader trade negotiations fail to yield a long-term resolution.China lifts Boeing ban after trade truce with US; jet deliveries set to resume.
