A Boeing 737 MAX originally destined for China's Xiamen Airlines landed in Seattle over the weekend, as escalating U.S.-China trade tensions threaten to unravel aerospace delivery pipelines. The jet's return signals a deepening disruption in the aviation sector as tit-for-tat tariffs stall aircraft transfers between the two countries.
The aircraft, painted in Xiamen Airlines' livery, touched down at Boeing Field in Seattle on Saturday evening after a 5,000-mile journey that included refueling stops in Guam and Hawaii, according to a Reuters witness. It was among several 737 MAX jets awaiting final work at Boeing's Zhoushan completion center in China before delivery to Chinese carriers.
The move comes amid reports that Chinese authorities have directed domestic airlines to halt further Boeing deliveries. The Air Current reported last week that three 737 MAX 8 jets prepared at Zhoushan were recalled to the U.S., citing people familiar with Boeing's plans. China's foreign ministry has not confirmed a formal ban on deliveries but has not denied the reported policy shift.
The reversal follows President Donald Trump's decision to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%, triggering retaliatory 125% tariffs from Beijing on U.S. goods. With a list price of roughly $55 million per aircraft, the tariffs could make taking delivery financially untenable for Chinese carriers.
Confusion over changing tariffs could leave many aircraft deliveries in limbo, with analysts noting that some airline CEOs have indicated they would defer plane deliveries rather than pay steep duties, according to Reuters.
The trade conflict has resurfaced just as Boeing had begun recovering from a five-year import freeze on the 737 MAX in China, which was triggered by safety concerns following two fatal crashes involving the model in 2018 and 2019.
According to Reuters, Boeing has delivered 18 aircraft to nine Chinese airlines so far this year. The country's three largest carriers-Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern-were expected to take delivery of 179 Boeing jets between 2025 and 2027. Now, many of those orders are in doubt.
