China has reportedly instructed its airlines to suspend deliveries of Boeing aircraft, deepening the trade rift with the United States as tensions continue to rise between the world’s two largest economies.
According to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday, Beijing issued the directive to Chinese carriers in response to the ongoing tariff war, which has intensified since US President Donald Trump imposed sweeping levies on Chinese imports earlier this year. The move reportedly extends beyond aircraft, with orders also given to halt purchases of aviation-related equipment and spare parts from American firms.
Neither Boeing nor China’s foreign ministry have commented publicly on the report, though the potential implications are considerable. With retaliatory duties of up to 125 percent now imposed by China on US imports, the cost of receiving aircraft and related parts from American manufacturers is expected to rise significantly.
The US has levied tariffs as high as 145 percent on certain Chinese imports, which Beijing has condemned as unjust and “bullying”. Chinese officials have dismissed the likelihood of further negotiations under the current conditions, saying additional tariff threats are futile.
Bloomberg also reported that the Chinese government is considering measures to support domestic airlines leasing Boeing aircraft, given the potential financial strain caused by the trade restrictions.
These developments come after a volatile period in global markets triggered by Washington’s aggressive trade policies. President Trump recently announced a temporary freeze on additional tariffs, but no concessions have been made toward easing tensions with China.
In a partial reprieve, US officials on Friday announced exemptions for a range of high-end tech products — including smartphones, semiconductors, and computers — from the latest round of duties.
