China Sends Boeing Aircraft Back to the U.S.

A Boeing 737 Max originally destined for China’s Xiamen Airlines landed in Seattle on Saturday. The aircraft, painted in the airline’s livery, had been awaiting delivery at Boeing’s Zhoushan facility but was instead rerouted back to the U.S.—amid rising tensions between Beijing and Washington.

According to Bloomberg, China recently instructed its airlines to halt new Boeing deliveries in response to the U.S. imposing 145% tariffs on Chinese imports.

No comment from Boeing

Boeing has not commented publicly, but the incident adds to a growing list of challenges for the American manufacturer.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lin Jian, however, stated: “I’m not familiar with any official announcement from China instructing airlines to stop accepting Boeing deliveries.”

The aircraft that returned to Seattle is one of several now being redirected to other customers. The development casts uncertainty over Boeing’s efforts to re-establish itself in the Chinese market, following years of suspension tied to safety concerns.

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