(Image source from: Bloomberg)

According to a report released on Tuesday, China has instructed its airlines to cease taking deliveries of jets from Boeing, the prominent American aerospace firm, amid an escalating trade conflict with the United States. Since January, when President Donald Trump assumed office, the two largest economies in the world have engaged in a series of retaliatory tariff measures, with the US imposing duties as high as 145 percent on Chinese imports. China has expressed strong outrage over what it perceives as unlawful "bullying" by the US and has responded with its own retaliatory tariffs reaching 125 percent on American goods, labeling any additional increases as futile. Bloomberg News highlighted that China has directed its airlines to stop accepting Boeing aircraft deliveries, citing sources who are informed about the situation.

Additionally, sources mentioned that Beijing has told its airlines to halt orders for aircraft-related equipment and parts from American suppliers, as reported by the financial news outlet. AFP has reached out to both Boeing and China's foreign ministry for comments on the matter. The trade tariffs imposed by Beijing on US goods are likely to result in substantial increases in costs for importing aircraft and components. Bloomberg also noted that the Chinese government is considering providing assistance to airlines that lease Boeing jets and are facing elevated expenses.

The barrage of tariffs initiated by Trump has unsettled global markets and disrupted diplomatic relations with both allies and rivals. Although last week the unpredictable US leader announced a sudden suspension of further increases, he did not grant any immediate relief to Beijing. On Friday, US officials disclosed that exemptions from the latest tariffs would be available for a variety of high-end technology products, including smartphones, semiconductors, and computers, among others.