<p>CNBC host <strong>Jim Cramer</strong> suggested on Monday that a weaker-than-expected aircraft order from Beijing may be a symptom of a faltering Chinese economy, days after the announcement of an anticipated deal for <strong>Boeing Co.</strong> (NYSE:BA) that fell significantly short of Wall Street’s expectations.</p>



<h2>Cramer Questions China's Plane Buying Power</h2>



<p>In a post on X, Cramer wrote, “The Chinese economy is so weak maybe they can’t afford to buy more planes…” Cramer's remarks followed an announcement by President <strong>Donald Trump</strong> last week that Chinese President <strong>Xi Jinping</strong> had agreed to purchase 200 Boeing jets.</p>



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<blockquote><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The Chinese economy is so weak maybe they can't afford to buy more planes…</p>— Jim Cramer (@jimcramer) May 18, 2026</blockquote>
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<p>While the agreement marks Boeing’s first major order from China since 2017, ending a nearly decade-long freeze exacerbated by trade tensions, the volume fell drastically short of expectations. Industry analysts had anticipated a sweeping package of up to 500 aircraft to help modernize China's commercial fleets.</p>



<h2>Smaller Boeing Order Fuels Debate</h2>



<p><strong>Shaun Rein</strong>, founder of the China Market Research Group, countered that the smaller Boeing order does not reflect an inability to pay, but rather a calculated geopolitical pivot. </p>



<p>While navigating headwinds in the property sector, China’s economy remains resilient, posting 5% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026, with full-year estimates hovering around 4.8%. Rein highlighted that Chinese carriers have ample capital for expansion, having ordered roughly 390 jets from European rival <strong>Airbus SE</strong> (OTC:EADSY) since late 2025, pushing Airbus’s market share in the country to roughly 55%.</p>



<p>Furthermore, Beijing’s deliberate slowdown in buying from American aerospace companies aligns with a broader strategic shift to reduce reliance on the West and bolster its own domestic industries, namely state-owned manufacturer COMAC and its homegrown C919 passenger jet.</p>



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<h2>Boeing CEO Signals More Orders Ahead</h2>



<p>Cramer notably reacted to the market pullback last Thursday as a buying opportunity, stating on X that the company looked &#34;very good down ten&#34; following its $10-per-share intraday decline. He followed up by writing, “thinking about how stupid it was that Boeing’s stock sold off on China. Boeing is a delivery story, NOT a China story.” Cramer emphasized that the aerospace giant already has “many more orders than they can handle now,” minimizing the impact of a smaller-than-expected order from Beijing.</p>



<p><span>Boeing CEO <strong>Kelly Ortberg</strong>,</span> who joined Trump’s delegation to Beijing, in a statement shared with AFP confirming the order, said the deal included an “initial commitment for 200 aircraft,” adding that “further commitments will follow after this initial tranche.”</p>



<p>Boeing is expected to report second-quarter 2026 results on July 28. Its first-quarter revenue rose 14% to $22.2 billion, while its core loss narrowed to 20 cents per share as commercial deliveries improved and 737 production stabilized at 42 jets per month.</p>



<p><strong>Benzinga's Edge Rankings</strong> place Boeing stock in the 44th percentile for momentum and the 26th percentile for value, reflecting its mixed performance in both areas. The stock offers a favorable Price Trend in the ‘Short' and ‘Long' term.</p>



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<p><em>Photo courtesy: katz / Shutterstock.com</em></p>

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<p>Jim Cramer suggests that a weaker Chinese economy may have influenced Boeing's recent order of 200 aircraft, which fell short of expectations. While some analysts argue this reflects a geopolitical shift rather than financial inability, China's economy posted a 5% GDP growth in Q1 2026. Boeing CEO confirmed the order, indicating more commitments may follow. Cramer views Boeing's stock decline as a buying opportunity, emphasizing the company's strong order backlog despite the smaller order from China.</p>

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Jim Cramer Says Beijing Can't Afford More Planes On Trump-Xi Jinping 200 Boeing Aircraft Deal: 'The Chinese Economy Is So Weak…'