A Boeing 737 MAX jet, intended for China’s Xiamen Airlines, landed back at the US production hub on Saturday due to tit-for-tat bilateral tariffs launched by President Donald Trump. The 5,000-mile return journey was a major refueling stop in Guam and Hawaii before landing at Seattle’s Boeing Field.
The aircraft’s paint job still shows Xiamen livery, indicating it had made preparations for delivery when the change occurred. Tariffs imposed by China on US goods have increased to 125%, while the US has raised tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. The market value of a new 737 MAX is around $55 million.
This return marks the latest disruption in aircraft deliveries due to the breakdown in duty-free status between the aerospace industry and tariffs. Boeing, struggling from an almost five-year import freeze, is now recovering from trade tensions.
Analysts warn that changing tariffs could leave many aircraft deliveries in limbo, with some CEOs considering deferring delivery rather than paying duties.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/20/business/boeing-china-trump-tariffs/index.html