Trump accuses China of reneging on Boeing deal as tensions mount over trade war

White House says “the ball is in China’s court” as Trump escalates pressure with new tariffs on Beijing.

President Donald Trump arrives for a presentation ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on April 15, 2025. Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Donald Trump is again ramping up trade pressure on Beijing, as he accuses China of reneging on a major Boeing deal, according to a statement issued Tuesday by the White House. The U.S. president’s sharp comments come amid a new wave of tariffs targeting Chinese imports, with the administration insisting it is now up to China—not the United States—to return to the negotiating table.

At the heart of this latest dispute is a report that Beijing has instructed Chinese airlines to halt deliveries of U.S.-made Boeing jets and pause purchases of aircraft-related equipment. Trump, who has long positioned himself as tough on China, swiftly seized on the report to accuse the Chinese government of failing to honor its agreements.

White House lays blame on Beijing

“The ball is in China’s court. China needs to make a deal with us. We don’t have to make a deal with them,” said a statement from Trump, read aloud by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt during a briefing.

Leavitt emphasized that China’s size doesn’t exempt it from fair trade practices, telling reporters, “There’s no difference between China and any other country except they are much larger.”

The flare-up follows a Bloomberg report indicating that China had directed airlines to stop taking delivery of Boeing aircraft, a move that effectively suspends billions of dollars in trade between the two nations’ aviation industries.

Although Trump did not provide specific details about the Boeing deal he referenced, his Truth Social post strongly suggested it involved previously agreed purchases of aircraft that China is now allegedly walking away from.

Trade war back in full swing

Trump accuses China of reneging on Boeing deal just as he has renewed his campaign to remake U.S. trade policy. Since returning to the White House earlier this year, Trump has imposed sweeping new tariffs on imports, singling out China for particularly harsh treatment.

A massive 145 percent levy now applies to many Chinese products entering the U.S., a sharp escalation from the tariff rates imposed during his first term. Trump has also revived a global “baseline” 10 percent tariff on several U.S. trading partners, including close allies in Europe.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen weighed in on the rising tensions, telling Germany’s Die Zeit that the relationship between the EU and the U.S. had become “complicated.” She noted that while both sides were making their positions clear, any progress would depend on mutual understanding and alignment.

Canada braces for spillover effects

The Trump administration’s aggressive trade stance has not only triggered pushback abroad but has also led to concerns in neighboring Canada. On Tuesday, Ottawa announced tariff relief for automakers who maintain production within Canadian borders. The move is seen as a response to fears that Trump’s policies could lure key manufacturing operations across the border.

In a sign that the trade conflict is spreading beyond just China, Canada’s policy shift shows the ripple effect of Trump’s decisions, especially as he aims to bring more jobs back to the U.S.

Trump revisits past China trade grievances

Trump accuses China of reneging on Boeing deal while also invoking broader trade grievances dating back to his first term. He suggested that Beijing had not fulfilled its commitments under a previous agreement, which was designed to pause the escalating tariff war between the two economic giants.

“They bought only a portion of what they agreed to buy,” Trump claimed on Truth Social. He went further by accusing Chinese officials of having “zero respect” for Joe Biden’s administration, indicating that he believes Beijing only responds to hardball tactics.

The White House has also clarified that exemptions to Trump’s tariff program have been selectively granted. Certain products—such as smartphones and laptops—are excluded from the global 10 percent tariff and the additional 125 percent duties placed on Chinese electronics and components.

Farmers caught in the crossfire

As in previous trade disputes, American farmers once again find themselves caught in the middle. Trump acknowledged their vulnerability, posting online that U.S. agriculture is often “put on the Front Line with our adversaries, such as China,” whenever trade tensions erupt.

Beijing has not held back either. In response to U.S. tariffs, China has introduced countermeasures targeting American agricultural products, a strategic move aimed at exerting political pressure on a key part of Trump’s domestic base.

The Chinese government followed up with a sweeping 125 percent tariff on a broad range of U.S. imports, retaliating against both the initial duties and the latest escalation from Washington.

Boeing hit by immediate fallout

Meanwhile, Boeing is already feeling the economic impact. Its shares fell by 2.4 percent at Tuesday’s close, amid investor concerns that the trade war could derail international aircraft orders and further dent the company’s global market position.

While neither Boeing nor the Chinese foreign ministry has responded officially to Bloomberg’s report, the financial markets are clearly nervous. Boeing, which was already struggling with delivery delays and reputational issues, now faces the additional challenge of navigating geopolitical tensions.

China's silence fuels speculation

Beijing has yet to publicly confirm or deny the reported halt in aircraft deliveries. This silence has only intensified speculation about what might come next. If China does formally suspend Boeing orders, the implications could be significant—not only for the aviation sector but also for broader U.S.-China trade relations.

In the absence of official communication, both markets and policymakers remain on edge, waiting to see whether Beijing will respond to Trump’s accusations or offer a path back to negotiations.

No signs of de-escalation

As of now, neither side appears ready to de-escalate. Trump accuses China of reneging on Boeing deal while simultaneously doubling down on tariffs and political rhetoric. At the same time, China is proceeding with counter-tariffs and what appears to be a quiet but deliberate recalibration of its economic partnerships.

While the White House says it's open to talks, its tone remains uncompromising. With U.S. elections approaching, Trump is unlikely to soften his stance—particularly on an issue that resonates strongly with his political base.

Unless both sides show a willingness to return to the negotiating table soon, the Boeing dispute may just be the beginning of a wider economic standoff. And for companies, workers, and consumers on both sides of the Pacific, the costs could keep rising.