China Sends $55M Boeing Jet Back to U.S. as Trade Tensions Intensify
A brand-new Boeing 737 MAX, initially intended for delivery to China’s Xiamen Airlines, was returned to the United States over the weekend, underscoring worsening trade tensions between the two nations. The $55 million aircraft touched down at Boeing Field in Seattle at 6:11 p.m. on Saturday, following a trans-Pacific journey with stopovers in Guam and Hawaii.
The jet had been in final inspection at Boeing’s Zhoushan completion center in China when the delivery was abruptly called off. The cancellation came in the wake of newly imposed tariffs that made the deal economically unviable.
Earlier this month, the U.S. introduced tariffs of up to 145% on a wide range of Chinese goods, citing issues related to trade imbalances and intellectual property. China quickly retaliated with a 125% tariff on various American exports, including commercial aircraft—effectively doubling the cost of the Boeing plane to over $110 million.
The situation illustrates the real-world consequences of escalating trade disputes and raises concerns about Boeing’s future in the lucrative Chinese market. With mounting uncertainty, Chinese airlines may increasingly shift toward European manufacturer Airbus for their aircraft needs.
This episode adds further strain to already tense U.S.-China relations and may have broader implications for the fragile global aviation sector.
