In a move that exemplifies the Trump administration’s fusion of trade and diplomacy, the Commerce Department announced new deals for up to 37 Boeing airplanes with three Central Asian nations. The sales to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan were unveiled on Thursday at the C5+1 Summit in Washington. The event was used to showcase the economic benefits of partnership with the U.S.
The deals represent a significant boost for Boeing’s order book. Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana, is set to make the largest purchase, with plans for up to 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Tajikistan’s national carrier, Somon Air, intends to acquire up to 14 airplanes, a mixed fleet of four 787s and ten 737 MAX models. Uzbekistan Airways is also expanding its long-haul fleet, committing to eight additional 787 planes.
For the airlines, these acquisitions are a strategic move to modernize and expand. Air Astana, for instance, currently operates a modest wide-body fleet of three Boeing 767 jets. The new 787-9 Dreamliners are not just replacements; they are strategic assets that will allow the carrier to explore new, long-range destinations. Boeing specifically noted that these planes will enable Air Astana to launch services to North America.
The C5+1 diplomatic platform proved to be a powerful tool for the Trump administration to advance its trade agenda. By announcing the orders at the 10th-anniversary summit, the administration successfully blended strategic engagement with a tangible victory for American manufacturing. This move reinforces the U.S. commitment to the region while simultaneously supporting a key American exporter.
This 37-plane deal is just the latest in a series of announcements this year where Boeing orders have been heavily featured in trade deals with foreign governments. This practice has become a hallmark of the Trump administration’s economic diplomacy. While this is a solid success, the administration and Boeing are also in talks for a massive 500-jet sale to China.