Why Boeing aircraft are characterized by a lot in Trump’s commercial deals

US President Donald Trump collected the traditional global trading environment, in some cases, in order to undermine free trade agreements with partners in favor of bilateral deals that seem light on the details but they are heavy on symbolism.

One repeated symbol: Boeing airplane.

Since Trump announced the definitions in April, a pattern appeared. Countries dealing with the United States often announce great orders for Boeing aircraft.

For example, while South Korea’s visit to Li Jae Meong to WashingtonKorean Air announced the request of 103 Boeing aircraft worth $ 36.2 billion. This request, along with another deal worth $ 13.7 billion with Geospace It is said The largest deal in the history of the airline.

As part of its deal, Japan also put Order for 100 Boeing aircraftAlthough the value of the request was not disclosed. Even smaller economies like Malaysiaand IndonesiaAnd Cambodia Boeing purchases included their commercial agreements.

So the United Kingdom Make a request of $ 10 billion For Boeing aircraft as part of the trade deal with the United States in May, according to Treasury Secretary Howard Lootnick. After days, British Air Air Father Iag It announced the request of 32 Boeing aircraft on May 9, totaling $ 12.7 billion.

Why planes – and why Boeing?

Why is Boeing consider such deals in Trump deals? The first reason: it looks good for the president.

“The simple answer is that the planes are prominent and Trump always wants the profile,” told John Grant, the founder of Midas Aviation CNBC.

“The planes are very clear data for trade and have high value, which makes them especially attractive in such agreements between countries,” he added.

Windy Katler, Vice President at the Asia Association Policy Institute, noted that these high-value deals allow countries to show their commitment to limit bilateral trade surpluses with the United States-the reason Trump has to call the emergency authorities to impose customs tariffs.

Aircraft orders also come with many other advantages. Unlike goods such as steel or rice, the planes are less likely to tank any feathers when it comes to local industries.

“The imports of these aircraft are not politically difficult for most trade partners in the United States, unlike minerals or agricultural imports,” said Humin Lee, the chief kidney strategy in Lombard Audier.

Japan, for example, long ago Protect the rice industryWhile South Korea is a major source of steel for the United States – which leads to mutual purchases of American non -practical steel. Seoul was The fourth largest steel source for the United States In 2024, according to the International Trade Department under the US Department of Commerce.

Moreover, aircraft orders usually extend years. Boeing production accumulation is 11.5 years, According to the international market research companyWhile Airbus is a little track in 10.6 years.

This long delivery window means that the airlines are countries that enter deals with Trump can announce purchases without any immediate financial pressure.

But not everything.

Lee Lombard Odir said that the international tourism industry is in a bullish state, and the US passenger plane is the ideal element that must be included in any trade deal with Trump. “They really need.”

According to International Air Transport Association, Global airlines profits are expected to reach $ 36 billion in 2025, up from $ 32.4 billion in 2024, with profit margins to 3.7 %. The total revenue is expected to reach $ 979 billion, an increase of 1.3 % over last year.

Beyond the economy, Boeing carries a symbolic weight. “It is a creative American company.” With the effective manufacture of aircraft manufacturing, storage from Boeing and Airbus, options are limited.

Boeing characters in Trump’s deals despite safety scandals, including a Dashboard On Alaska’s lines trip in 2024.

Obligations of the violations The concerns related to the company’s production quality are concerned with, but Grant indicated that Boeing has Enter the improvements The airlines started seeing directly.

Reuters report in August She revealed that the flight chiefs expressed more confidence in Boeing’s ability to deliver aircraft in “correct quality”.

CNBC did not immediately receive a response from the American Commercial Representative Office for Comments.