Due to the tariff-driven trade clash between the U.S. and China, Boeing will have to find buyers for about 50 planes that had been originally requested by Chinese companies. Nevertheless, the company said it was confident about the possibility of finding new buyers for its carriers, but still revealed that its top management is pressing Trump, to resolve the “unpleasant situation.”
Two Boeing jets have already been returned to the U.S. from Chinese companies while another is on the way after Beijing imposed heavy tariffs of 125 percent on U.S. imports in response to the 145 percent duties imposed by the White House.
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said he hoped that “over time these tariffs can be resolved,” in a call with investors Wednesday. He also announced that the company’s losses for the first quarter of 2025 had narrowed to $31 million, a marked improvement from $355 million a year earlier.
Ortberg added, “It’s an unfortunate situation, but we have many customers who want near-term deliveries.” At present, Boeing has already started production on 41 aircraft originally destined for China; by the end of the year, the company will bring the number up to 50.
Overall demand for aircraft has so far not been affected by the duties. This has allowed the company to continue with its plan to increase production of its 737 Max to 38 units per month, despite the tariffs. Boeing’s share price also rose 5.7 percent on Wednesday.
Nevertheless, being shut out of one of the world’s most important and profitable markets would be a blow, especially if Airbus, Boeing’s main rival, which builds aircraft in France, China and the United States, is able to continue selling.
“We are not going to continue to build airplanes for customers who will not take them,” Ortberg concluded, “If we see markets closing that’s going to be a big challenge for us.”
