American Manufacturer Can Probably Count On About Half Of Those Orders

In an historic speech Wednesday at Boeing's massive Everett, WA aircraft plant, Chinese President Hu Jintao told workers that China will need more planes over the next several years -- as in thousands.

"In the next 15 years, the demand for new aircraft will reach 2,000 planes. This clearly points to a bright tomorrow for future cooperation between Boeing and China," Hu said in a speech that came days after Chinese officials confirmed a commitment to order 80 737s, in a deal valued at $5.2 billion list.

"Boeing's cooperation with China is a living example of the mutually beneficial cooperation and win-win outcome that China and the United States have achieved from trade with each other," he added.

Boeing officials and US economic advisors alike are counting on that relationship, especially. Of course, Chinese aircraft orders will help Boeing stay in business... but any new aircraft purchases will also help offset the massive trade gap that exists between the US and China.

And while news of China's need for airliners is good news for the American aerospace manufacturer, if history is any indication, Boeing -- which has forecasted China will need 2,600 new airplanes over the next 20 years -- will wind up splitting the difference with its European rival, Airbus, for those planes.

China has traditionally ordered a nearly equal number of aircraft from both Airbus and Boeing -- preferring to not show a preference for one manufacturer over another. The announcement of the 737 deal -- which wrapped up a 150-plane 737 order from China's aircraft ordering body -- came four months after China announced a similar deal for Airbus A320-family aircraft.

How many Airbus planes did China order? Why... 150, of course.

FMI: www.boeing.com