A Boeing Model 737 Aircraft, originally intended for Chinese airline Xiamen Airlines, returned to the United States on Sunday after being affected by the tariff escalation between Washington and Beijing began by former President Donald Trump.
The plane landed at Boeing Field in Seattle, according to an agency source Reuters. The aircraft, which was painted with the colors of Xiamen, made scales for replenishment in Guam and Hawaii during the 8,000 kilometers route. The jet was one of several 737 Max that awaited finishing and delivery at the Boeing Assembly Center in Zhoushan, China.
This month, the United States increased the base rate on Chinese imports to 145%. China responded with a 125% tariff on US products. The delivery of an aircraft like the 737 Max, with an estimated value of $ 55 million, according to IBA consultancy, became economically unfeasible for Chinese airlines under this scenario.
It is unclear who decided to return the plane to the US. Boeing and Xiamen Airlines did not respond to requests for comment. The return of the 737 MAX, the best-selling model of the American manufacturer, is another sign of the impacts that the rupture on the tariff exemption regime has caused the delivery of new aircraft.
The trade war and the reversal in deliveries occur while Boeing tries to resume 737 Max exports after nearly five years of suspension. Analysts point out that instability in tariffs may leave other suspended deliveries, as some airlines indicate that they prefer to postpone receipts to bear the additional costs.
(Edited by Mitchel Diniz)
