Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed on April 23 that China has stopped accepting deliveries of new aircraft due to the ongoing US-China trade war, according to a report from Agence France-Presse cited by Reference News.
Ortberg stated that Boeing plans to deliver approximately 50 aircraft to China by 2025. However, he noted that due to the tariffs, many of their customers in China "have indicated that they will not take delivery."
"I'm not going to let this derail the recovery of our company, so we'll give the customers an opportunity if they want to take the airplanes," Ortberg said.
Reports indicate that a Boeing plane initially destined for Xiamen Airlines has already returned to Boeing's production center in the US. Another aircraft, originally scheduled for delivery to a Chinese airline, also returned to the US on April 21.
Boeing reported a US$14 billion loss last year, and the company anticipates continued losses this year. The financial strain has prompted Boeing to urgently seek additional revenue sources. On April 22, US media reported that Boeing has agreed to sell part of its digital aviation solutions business in an all-cash deal worth US$10.55 billion to cut costs further.
On the same day, US President Donald Trump commented on the tariff issue, stating that tariffs on Chinese goods will "come down substantially" but "won't be zero." Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hinted at a possible easing of US-China relations, acknowledging that the current high tariffs are unsustainable.
Meanwhile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded at a routine press conference, saying that if the US genuinely wishes to resolve issues through dialogue, it should stop issuing threats and work with China on the basis of equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity. "Saying one thing and doing another while applying maximum pressure is not the right way to engage with China, nor will it work," Guo emphasized.
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US tariff war affects Boeing: Xiamen Airlines returns two aircraft
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