Boeing in Talks to Sell Up to 500 Jets to China: Bloomberg News

Boeing is in talks to sell as many as 500 jets to China, Bloomberg News reported, citing people familiar with the matter, according to Reuters.

Such a deal would be a breakthrough for Boeing in China. (Photo: The Boeing Company Facebook)

Shares of the U.S. planemaker rose 2% in premarket trading as the potential deal would mark China’s first major Boeing purchase since former President Donald Trump’s state visit during his previous term.

Negotiations cover jet models, types, and delivery schedules, with the order possibly serving as the centerpiece of a trade deal between the world’s two largest economies, the report said.

Such a deal would be a breakthrough for Boeing in China, the world’s second-largest aviation market, where orders have stalled amid U.S.-China trade tensions.

It would also help the company close the gap with rival Airbus, which has pulled ahead in recent years. Chinese officials have begun consulting domestic airlines on their requirements for Boeing aircraft, according to the report.