[Source/Observer Network, Qi Qian] The Trump administration insisted on initiating and escalating the trade war with China, which seriously affected Boeing Company in the United States. Recently, there were reports that several Chinese airlines have suspended the acceptance of Boeing aircraft and stopped purchasing related equipment and components.

According to a latest report from Reuters on April 18, flight tracking data shows that a Boeing aircraft that just arrived at a factory in China last month took off for the United States on the 18th. This indicates that at least one Chinese airline has returned a Boeing order due to Trump's tariff policy.

The report said that in 2018, nearly 1/4 of Boeing's production was sold to China. However, Boeing's aircraft deliveries to China were once interrupted in 2019 after two fatal crashes. After years of import freeze, Boeing 737 MAX aircraft have just resumed delivery.

Tracking data shows that just weeks before US President Trump announced the so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs on April 2, Boeing was preparing to resume normal business with China. At least four new 737 MAX aircraft are parked at a factory in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province. Boeing installs interiors, paints them, and then delivers the aircraft to Chinese customers here.

According to Flightradar24, three of these aircraft arrived in Zhoushan from Boeing’s Seattle factory last month, while one arrived last week.

However, the latest data shows that on the morning of the 18th, one of the aircraft took off from Zhoushan and headed to Guam, one of the stops on the route before crossing the Pacific to Seattle. This indicates that this Boeing aircraft is returning.

Earlier, aviation industry media The Air Current reported on April 17 that among the four Boeing aircraft already at the Zhoushan factory, one has been marked with the label "can be recalled to the U.S. without transfer."

Boeing 737 MAX fuselage Visual China

Bloomberg reported on April 15 that as part of the countermeasures against US tariffs, China has requested domestic airlines to stop accepting Boeing aircraft and suspend purchases of related equipment and components. Bloomberg stated that this is another major setback for Boeing in one of its largest markets.

According to知情 sources, this order was issued after China announced last week that it would impose a 125% tariff on American goods. This tariff alone will more than double the cost of American-made aircraft and their components, effectively preventing Chinese airlines from accepting Boeing's aircraft.

Regarding the above reports, Boeing has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Reuters reported on April 18 that a senior insider said that Boeing and its suppliers are formulating response plans. Two other US industry insiders also said they had not received any clear instructions to stop shipping parts to China. Another source who operates an aircraft maintenance plant in China said they encountered no problems importing American parts.

Boeing is slowly recovering from a series of safety incidents and strike crises. The incident involving the detachment of aircraft doors that began in early 2024 exposed Boeing's flaws, triggering months of strikes and strict scrutiny by regulatory agencies. Boeing subsequently replaced its CEO and began a comprehensive overhaul. However, Trump's tariff policies may drag Boeing back into trouble.

Last month, political news outlet reported that tariffs will impact the aviation industry heavily dependent on international supply chains, with Boeing likely becoming the "biggest victim" of this tariff war. Compared to its competitor Airbus, Boeing finds it harder to pass on costs, and tariffs will lead China to turn to purchasing domestically made or Airbus aircraft, posing a risk of losing the Chinese market for Boeing.

The chaos caused by changes in tariffs may put many aircraft deliveries in jeopardy. Some airline CEOs told Reuters they would rather delay aircraft deliveries than pay tariffs.

An analyst said that stopping deliveries to China will not have an immediate significant impact on Boeing in the short term, but in the long run, China is a strategic market. Boeing has stated that by 2043, the size of China's aircraft fleet will more than double, and air traffic volume will exceed that of the United States.

Reuters cited sources indicating that a large portion of Boeing's over 760 unassigned orders have come from China.

This article is an exclusive contribution by Observer Network and cannot be reprinted without permission.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7494529604393255450/

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