OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
1:46 PM – Thursday, May 14, 2026
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled a major breakthrough in trans-Pacific trade relations on Thursday, confirming expectations for a massive Boeing aircraft order as part of the diplomatic mission to China.
Earlier in the day, the Treasury secretary told CNBC, “I think we’re going to see the large Boeing orders.”
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Speaking to reporters and industry leaders during a multi-day state visit alongside President Donald Trump, Bessent emphasized that the deal serves as a cornerstone of the administration’s “America First” economic agenda. It aims to rebalance the trade deficit through increased U.S. exports, rather than relying solely on import restrictions.
Boosting U.S. manufacturing, President Trump also later confirmed to Fox News’ Sean Hannity that China has committed to purchasing 200 Boeing aircraft — a figure that notably exceeds the company’s initial 150-jet request.
“One thing he agreed to today, he’s gonna order 200 jets, that’s a big thing, Boeing,” Trump told Hannity. “200 big ones. That’s a lot of jobs, a lot. Boeing wanted 150, they got 200.”
The expanded agreement marks a breakthrough for the American aerospace giant, capping off intensive negotiations led by the White House and Treasury Department during the visit to Beijing. Analysts say the order is a vital lifeline for Boeing, which has reportedly struggled to maintain its market share in China against European rival Airbus amid years of escalating tariffs and geopolitical friction.
Additionally, this agreement marks the largest single Chinese commitment for Boeing aircraft since 2017, potentially worth tens of billions of dollars at list prices. Beyond the aviation sector, Bessent further outlined a broader strategy for “practical cooperation” between the world’s two largest economies.
During a series of closed-door sessions with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, Bessent discussed the formation of two new bilateral bodies: a “Board of Trade” to govern commercial exchanges and a “Board of Investment” designed to pre-screen and facilitate Chinese investment in non-sensitive U.S. sectors.
He clarified that these boards will provide a streamlined path for capital flow that avoids the national security hurdles typically associated with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS).
Bessent noted that the trade talks touched upon increased Chinese commitments to purchase American energy and agricultural products, including soybeans, to ensure regional and economic stability. By securing these high-value contracts, the Treasury Department reportedly hopes to demonstrate a viable path toward a “balanced” relationship where the U.S. sells more to China — even as both nations navigate disagreements over technology, security, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The United States’ diplomatic entourage, which included CEOs such as Boeing’s Kelly Ortberg, Nvidia’s Jensen Huang, and Tesla’s Elon Musk, also exemplifies the Trump administration’s focus on using American corporate leverage to secure trade wins.
For Boeing, the 200-jet order provides a much-needed boost to its production backlog and reinforces its position in a market that is expected to require thousands of new aircraft over the next two decades. As the summit in Beijing continues, Bessent has voiced optimism that this deal will serve as a template for future sector-specific agreements that prioritize American manufacturing and labor.
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