'Boeing should default China': Donald Trump slams Beijing over backing out of plane purchase deal

US President Donald Trump took aim at China for pulling out of a deal to buy Boeing aircraft, blaming the move on Beijing’s response to Washington’s steep new tariffs.
“Boeing should default China for not taking the beautifully finished planes that China committed to purchase,” Trump wrote in a social media post on Thursday. “This is just a small example of what China has done to the USA, for years,” he added.

The sharp criticism comes as tensions continue to escalate in the US-China trade war, which has seen both sides slap heavy duties on each other's goods. The US has now imposed tariffs of up to 145% on a range of Chinese imports, with Beijing retaliating with fresh 125% levies on American products.
The row is already taking a toll on major industries. On Wednesday, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg revealed that Chinese customers had stopped accepting aircraft deliveries due to the “tariff environment.” His remarks highlighted the broader economic strain caused by the ongoing tit-for-tat measures between the world’s two largest economies.
Markets have been rattled in recent weeks amid fears that the dispute could tip the global economy into recession.
Despite Trump’s earlier suggestions that talks were underway, hopes of progress took a blow on Thursday when China dismissed claims of ongoing negotiations. Suggestions of ongoing talks are “groundless,” a Chinese government spokesperson said, cooling any hint of any optimism.
Still, Trump struck a hopeful note on Wednesday, telling reporters that the US would strike a “fair deal with China.” When asked about the status of talks, he replied, “everything’s active.”