(Reuters) -Boeing is in talks to sell as many as 500 jets to China, Bloomberg News reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. Shares of the U.S. planemaker rose 2% before the market open as the potential order would be China's first major purchase of Boeing jets since U.S. President Donald Trump's visit in his previous term.

Boeing is in talks with China over a possible order for up to 500 commercial aircraft in what would be a significant win for the US firm.

Boeing announced that it was closer to finalizing a 500-jet mega sales deal with China, potentially ending the aerospace company’s eight-year sales drought there.