UK to announce $10 billion Boeing purchase, US commerce secretary says

The United Kingdom will purchase $10 billion of Boeing planes, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said at the White House on Thursday during the announcement of a bilateral trade deal between the UK and the United States, though the details were unclear.

Lutnick indicated the deal was a private-sector purchase, saying he would let the airline making it announce the details. The White House's graphic with the broad terms of the deal referred to $10 billion in "aircraft parts" purchases, without further details.

It's not clear what kind of planes would be involved in the deal and whether any agreement would involve firm orders or options. Boeing was not immediately available for comment. 

Virgin, which operates Boeing planes, said they were not involved in a deal. British Airways, which operates several Boeing widebody jets within its fleet, was not immediately available for comment.

Boeing shares rose on the news, and were up around 3.1% in midday trading.