ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A Boeing 737 MAX aircraft has returned to China for delivery, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.–China trade relations after months of escalated tariffs disrupted commercial aviation supply chains.
According to flight tracking data from Flightradar24, the aircraft—sporting the livery of Xiamen Airlines—touched down at Boeing’s Zhoushan Completion Center near Shanghai on Monday. The jet departed Seattle on Saturday, making refueling stops in Hawaii and Guam during its trans-Pacific journey.
This delivery marks the first return of a Boeing aircraft to China since April, when the planemaker paused shipments amid growing economic tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Temporary Tariff Relief Enables Resumption
Boeing had previously confirmed that deliveries to Chinese carriers would resume in June following a 90-day easing of tariffs by both nations. The move is part of a broader effort to stabilize trade relations, with representatives from the U.S. and China scheduled to meet in London on Monday for further discussions on a potential trade agreement.
The 737 MAX jet delivered Monday had originally been ferried to Zhoushan in March for final preparation before being returned to the U.S. in April, after Chinese carriers halted acceptance of new Boeing planes due to retaliatory tariffs.
Boeing’s Exposure in China
China accounts for around 10% of Boeing’s commercial aircraft backlog, underscoring its strategic importance to the U.S. aerospace giant. The halt in deliveries forced Boeing to consider reselling dozens of aircraft that were slated for Chinese airlines, though the company refrained from reallocating them elsewhere.
In April, Boeing revealed plans to deliver up to 50 jets to Chinese carriers by the end of 2025, with 41 of those already built or in advanced stages of production.
Despite these efforts, the Civil Aviation Authority of China (CAAC), Xiamen Airlines, and Boeing have not yet issued official statements regarding Monday’s delivery.
Background on Delivery Disruptions
At least three 737 MAX aircraft were flown back to the U.S. from Zhoushan in April, where they had been awaiting final touches for delivery. The aircraft delivered Monday was the first among those previously recalled.
Although Chinese authorities have not provided a direct explanation for halting Boeing deliveries, they acknowledged the impact of U.S.-imposed tariffs on both Chinese airlines and the American manufacturer.
The resumption of deliveries may signal a cautious step toward restoring aerospace cooperation between the two economic powerhouses.
