China says willing to cooperate with US firms after Boeing spat

China has expressed willingness to support normal cooperation with US companies, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday, just days after Chinese airlines halted deliveries of new aircraft from Boeing Co. Beijing acknowledged that tariff increases under former US President Donald Trump had disrupted the global air transport market, affecting both Chinese carriers and Boeing. The ministry emphasized that China hopes the US will foster a stable and predictable environment for trade and investment.

Earlier this month, China ordered its airlines to suspend further deliveries of Boeing jets amid the ongoing trade war, which saw the US impose tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods. In response, China introduced retaliatory tariffs of 125% on American products, making it financially unviable for Chinese airlines to accept US-built aircraft.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg confirmed last week that China had stopped receiving new planes and noted that the company is actively seeking alternative buyers for jets originally intended for Chinese customers. Around 50 aircraft deliveries are now uncertain, with Boeing already relocating some 737 Max jets back to the US.

Air India Ltd. has emerged as a major beneficiary, having accepted 41 of these jets and expressing interest in acquiring more. China remains a critical market, expected to account for 20% of global aircraft demand over the next two decades.