Boeing April deliveries hit by US-China trade war
The American aviation giant delivered 45 commercial aircraft, up from 41 in March, the data showed. Yet only two planes went to Chinese customers during the month as the company's commercial ties to Beijing became a political hot potato between the world's two largest economies.
Last month Boeing's CEO Kelly Ortberg said plane deliveries to China had been halted due to the trade dispute. Subsequent criticism of China from US President Donald Trump over Boeing prompted a sharp response from Beijing.
But on Monday, the United States and China agreed to significantly scale back tariffs on each other after weekend negotiations in Switzerland.
Chinese officials have taken steps to immediately lift the ban, but the exact timing of deliveries has yet to be determined, a person familiar with the matter told AFP.
Of Boeing's commercial deliveries in April, 30 came from the 737 family and eight from the 787 Dreamliner. The rest were split between the 777 and 767.
The two planes that went to Chinese customers, China Southern and CES Leasing, were likely delivered at the start of April.
Separately, Boeing announced Tuesday its first order from AviLease, a global plane leasing company owned by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund.
The order includes a firm purchase for 20 737 MAX 8 jets and options for 10 more. Deliveries are scheduled through 2032, Avi Lease said in a statement.
The announcement comes in tandem with Trump's official visit to Saudi Arabia where he was welcomed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at a lavish event Tuesday that aims to cement economic and political ties between the countries.
Boeing's Ortberg was on the list of US business leaders participating in the trip.
Shares of Boeing jumped 2.9 percent in afternoon trading.
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