China to stop taking Boeing jet deliveries: Bloomberg

China has reportedly ordered its airlines to suspend deliveries from Boeing as the trade war between China and the U.S. deepens, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

China has also ordered its carriers to halt purchases of aircraft-related equipment and parts from U.S. companies, the U.S. media reported, citing an anonymous source.

The news came as China imposed a 125 per cent tariff on U.S. imports, after the U.S. raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145 per cent.

The levies, according to Bloomberg, would increase the cost of U.S.-made aircraft and parts to more than double their prices.

The Chinese government is reportedly looking at ways to offer support to airlines that lease Boeing jets and are facing higher costs.

According to Reuters, the halt in deliveries is projected to increase maintenance costs for jets flying into China.

"There are are no winners in a trade war, or tariff war."

Between 2025 to 2027, China's top three airlines, Air China, China Eastern Airlines, and China Southern Airlines, intend to take delivery of 45, 53, and 81 Boeing planes, respectively.

Shares of Boeing, which sees China as one of its biggest growth markets and where rival Airbus holds a dominant position, were briefly down 3 per cent in premarket trading.

Airbus is a European company.

Analysts mentioned by Reuters said the tit-for-tat tariffs between China and the U.S. might see the complete halt of goods trade between the two largest economies, which was valued at over US$650 billion (S$855 billion) in 2024.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Apr. 11 that president Donald Trump is optimistic about reaching a trade deal with China, though there's no indication that the two countries will be having a discussion anytime soon.

China's president Xi Jinping, who is currently on a diplomatic tour in Southeast Asia, said, according to an editorial jointly published in Vietnamese and Chinese official media and quoted by AP News: "There are are no winners in a trade war, or tariff war."

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