BEIJING (Reuters) -Chinese airlines and Boeing have been severely affected by U.S.-imposed tariffs, China’s commerce ministry said on Tuesday, saying it hopes Washington will listen to companies’ concerns and create a stable trade environment.
The statement is Beijing’s first comment on the impact of tariffs on the aviation industry since U.S. planemaker Boeing flew three 737 MAX planes that had been stationed in China for delivery to Chinese customers back to the United States.
Boeing last week said a number of its customers in China had indicated they would not take delivery of new planes due to the tariffs, and it was looking to resell potentially dozens of aircraft.
China is willing to support normal business cooperation between the two countries, the ministry said in response to media questions about the returned planes, and called on Washington to create a predictable environment for trade and investment.
“China’s affected airlines and Boeing have suffered greatly,” the ministry said, adding that U.S. tariffs had disrupted global supply chains, air transport and investment activities.
Beijing has indicated it is concerned about the trade war’s fallout. Businesses have said China has exempted some U.S. imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking firms to identify critical goods they need to be able to import without levies.
French aircraft engine maker Safran on Friday said it had been informed that China had granted tariff exemptions on some aerospace equipment parts, including engines and landing gear.
(Reporting by Beijing newsroom and Lisa Barrington; Editing by Jacqueline Wong and Kate Mayberry)
