In the latest fallout from the escalating trade war between the United States and China, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 bound for China has been recalled.
The narrowbody aircraft, originally destined for Xiamen Airlines, was recalled to the U.S. from Boeing’s Zhoushan completion center in China.
This move continues the growing economic friction impacting global aviation. The aircraft was already painted in Xiamen Airlines’ livery. It left Zhoushan, made stops in Guam and Hawaii, and landed at Seattle’s Boeing Field on April 19 around 6:11 PM local time.
China Halts New Boeing Aircraft Deliveries
The recall stems from China’s response to U.S. tariffs of 145% on Chinese imports. In retaliation, China imposed a 125% tariff on U.S. goods. This prompted the Chinese government to order its airlines to halt Boeing aircraft deliveries last week.
For Chinese carriers like Xiamen Airlines, these tariffs inflate the cost of a new 737 MAX, valued at roughly $55 million, making deliveries financially unfeasible.
China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), which oversees aircraft delivery approvals, has effectively frozen Boeing’s ability to fulfill orders in the region.
Boeing’s order book, as of March 2025, lists 130 aircraft for Chinese customers, but the trade dispute now casts doubt on their delivery. At least two other 737 MAX jets remain at Zhoushan, with their fate uncertain.
Neither Boeing nor Xiamen Airlines have issued public statements on the aircraft recall. It has given rise to speculation on the long-term implications for Boeing’s presence in China. The Chinese aviation sector remains a critical market for the US plane manufacturer.
Industry Disruption Continues
Prior to China’s directive to national airline to cease Boeing receivals, Juneyao Airlines deferred the delivery of a new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
As US-China trade tensions escalated, China Southern Airlines also halted its planned auction of 10 older Boeing 787-8 widebody aircraft.
The Xiamen Airlines aircraft recall is unlikely to be the last. For the US plane manufacturer, the loss of Chinese deliveries could strain its recovery from previous 737 MAX challenges.
For Xiamen Airlines and other Chinese carriers, delayed deliveries may lead to disruption of fleet expansion plans. As the trade war intensifies, the aviation industry is bracing for further disruption, with no clear resolution in sight.
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