• China commits to buying 200 Boeing jets, with potential for 750 more.
• The deal marks a significant breakthrough for Boeing after years of limited access to the Chinese market.
• General Electric will supply engines for the aircraft as part of the agreement.

China has agreed to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, with a potential expansion of the deal to as many as 750 planes, following a visit by US President Donald Trump to Beijing. Trump emphasized the significance of the deal, stating, "We made a lot of great trade deals, including over 200 planes for Boeing," during a press conference aboard Air Force One. He indicated that the promise of 750 aircraft would mark the largest order in history if fulfilled, contingent on the success of the initial order, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.

This agreement, which Boeing later confirmed, ends a near-decade drought of major aircraft orders from China, a market that has been largely inaccessible to the US aircraft manufacturer due to heightened trade tensions. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg was part of Trump's delegation to China, and industry analysts view the deal as crucial for Boeing to reclaim its market share against European competitor Airbus, which has dominated the Chinese aviation market recently, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

China's commitment for the purchase comes during a time when the nation seeks to enhance its aviation capacity amidst domestic production shortcomings by its own manufacturers. The deal is also accompanied by negotiations for engines supplied by General Electric, which are essential for operating the new aircraft. Analysts estimate the total value of the initial order could be between $17 billion and $25 billion based on the mix of aircraft ordered, noted industry reports, as stated by SCMP and Channel News Asia.

Notably, following initial confirmations from Trump, China's Ministry of Commerce finally acknowledged the agreement, although it did not specify a firm number for the aircraft in its communications. Furthermore, the agreement aligns with China's intention to facilitate its import operations by also addressing trade imbalances, including tariff reductions on agricultural products, according to South China Morning Post and India Times.