Boeing jet returns to US from China, a victim of Trump's tariff war

[highplainsdem]

Source: Reuters

A Boeing (BA.N) jet intended for use by a Chinese airline landed back at the planemaker's U.S. production hub on Sunday, a victim of the tit-for-tat bilateral tariffs launched by President Donald Trump in his global trade offensive.

The 737 MAX, which was meant for China's Xiamen Airlines, landed at Seattle's Boeing Field at 6:11 p.m. (0111 GMT), according to a Reuters witness. It was painted with Xiamen livery.

The jet, which made refueling stops in Guam and Hawaii on its 5,000-mile (8,000-km) return journey, was one of several 737 MAX jets waiting at Boeing's Zhoushan completion center for final work and delivery to a Chinese carrier.

Trump this month raised baseline tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. In retaliation, China has imposed a 125% tariff on U.S. goods. A Chinese airline taking delivery of a Boeing jet could be crippled by the tariffs, given that a new 737 MAX has a market value of around $55 million, according to IBA, an aviation consultancy.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/boeing-jet-returns-us-china-victim-trumps-tariff-war-2025-04-20/

[MichMan]

1. Before you order a airliner, is a deposit required?

[Historic NY]

2. Diaper Don is pushing them to complete AF1

Boeing should say they are already in the red and can't afford the loss of commercial sales.

[BidenRocks]

3. Does this make it a used aircraft?

Look for massive layoffs as the supply chain is broken.
For want of chips, the auto industry shut down a lot of lines.
So much winning.

[markodochartaigh]

4. I wouldn't worry. I'm sure that a US airline will snap those jets right up!

Maybe they can use them to bring all of those Canadian tourists and snowbirds down to Florida.


/s

[Grins]

5. It's FAR WORSE than a returned aircraft.

Buying an airliner is a MAJOR, LONG-TERM corporate decision. Those planes are expected to be in service for decades.

The buy also implies the buying of parts and the servicing of those planes - and the training and recurring training of its flight crews and ground maintenance people. So airlines try to avoid buying planes from multiple suppliers as that extends the logistics supply line and adds SIGNIFICANT costs!

Why would any foreign company buy Boeing products given prices could soar on the whim of an aging clinical narcissist?

If foreign plane buyers go to Airbus - it may take decades for Boeing to get back in. If they are still around.