U.S. manufacturing received a significant boost as the Trump administration announced that three Central Asian nations have committed to purchasing up to 37 new Boeing airplanes. The Commerce Department unveiled the deals with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan as a direct result of the administration’s focus on promoting American business interests on the global stage.
The orders represent a major investment in U.S. technology. Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana, leads the way with an order for 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Tajikistan’s Somon Air follows with a 14-plane commitment, including four 787s and ten 737 MAX models. Uzbekistan Airways is also expanding its long-haul capabilities with eight additional 787s.
The announcement was strategically timed to coincide with the 10th-anniversary C5+1 Summit in Washington. This high-profile diplomatic meeting between U.S. and Central Asian leaders provided a platform to underscore the administration’s transactional approach to diplomacy, where trade and geopolitical alignment are closely intertwined.
For the purchasing airlines, this deal is a monumental step. It allows for significant fleet modernization and route expansion. Boeing noted that Air Astana’s new 787s, for instance, will empower the carrier to launch its first-ever services to North America, a major milestone.
This set of orders fits a well-established pattern of the Trump presidency, where Boeing aircraft feature prominently in trade negotiations. This deal adds to a strong year for Boeing, even as the industry watches tense trade talks with China over a potential 500-jet sale.