Boeing Call for ‘Non-Tariff Environment’ Echoes Industrywide Concerns

U.S. aerospace companies worry import duties and a broader trade war could dim their prospects.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, April 23, 2025 at 03:58 PM ET

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Jack Daleo

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg visits the manufacturer’s 737 production line in Washington state. [Courtesy: Boeing]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. aviation industry, including major exporter Boeing, is concerned about sweeping tariffs affecting global supply chains and crucial export markets, particularly China.
Boeing, despite reporting improved Q1 2025 results, faces immediate challenges as China is refusing deliveries of approximately 50 aircraft due to tariffs, prompting Boeing to reroute these sales to other customers.
The tariffs threaten the entire aerospace sector, potentially disrupting complex supply chains, increasing production and maintenance costs for various companies (from airlines to suppliers), and narrowing the significant U.S. aerospace trade surplus.

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In early March, a coalition of 15 aviation industry groups representing hundreds of American firms requested relief from sweeping tariffs implemented by President Donald Trump. Now, as earnings season arrives, individual companies are making their concerns known.

Boeing—often cited as one of the largest U.S. exporters—on Wednesday reported a reduced net loss of about $31 million, owing to an 18 percent year-over-year increase in revenue driven by an uptick in commercial deliveries. Its commercial aircraft business delivered 130 aircraft in the first quarter of 2025, up from 83 one year prior.