China Said to Be Considering Order for Hundreds of Airbus Jets

High-profile deal would allow Chinese President to send message to Trump over trade

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LONDON — China is considering placing an order for hundreds of Airbus aircraft as soon as July, when European leaders visit Beijing to celebrate their countries’ long-term ties, according to people familiar with the matter.

Deliberations with Chinese airlines are under way about the size of a potential order, said the people.

A deal could involve about 300 planes and include both narrow-body and wide-body models, they said, with one person saying the order could range between 200 and as many as 500 aircraft.

Negotiations are fluid and could fall apart or take longer to reach a conclusion, the people said.

Airbus declined to comment.

Representatives for the Civil Aviation Administration of China did not respond to a request for comment.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany are among leaders who may visit Beijing in July to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union.