Boeing jet returns to US from China, a victim of Trump's tariff war
The 737 MAX, which was meant for China's Xiamen Airlines, landed at Seattle's Boeing Field at 6:11 pm (0111 GMT), according to a Reuters witness. It was painted with Xiamen livery
A Boeing jet intended for use by a Chinese airline landed back at the planemaker's US production hub on Sunday, a victim of the tit-for-tat bilateral tariffs launched by President Donald Trump in his global trade offensive.
The 737 MAX, which was meant for China's Xiamen Airlines, landed at Seattle's Boeing Field at 6:11pm (0111 GMT), according to a Reuters witness. It was painted with Xiamen livery.
The jet, which made refueling stops in Guam and Hawaii on its 5,000-mile (8,000-km) return journey, was one of several 737 MAX jets waiting at Boeing's Zhoushan completion center for final work and delivery to a Chinese carrier.
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Trump this month raised baseline tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. In retaliation, China has imposed a 125% tariff on US goods. A Chinese airline taking delivery of a Boeing jet could be crippled by the tariffs, given that a new 737 MAX has a market value of around $55 million, according to IBA, an aviation consultancy.
It is not clear which party made the decision for the aircraft to return to the US Boeing did not immediately respond to request for comment. Xiamen did not respond to requests for comment.
The return of the 737 MAX, Boeing's best-selling model, is the latest sign of disruption to new aircraft deliveries from a breakdown in the aerospace industry's decades-old duty-free status.
The tariff war and apparent U-turn over deliveries comes as Boeing has been recovering from an almost five-year import freeze on 737 MAX jets and a previous round of trade tensions.
Confusion over changing tariffs could leave many aircraft deliveries in limbo, with some airline CEOs saying they would defer delivery of planes rather than pay duties, analysts say.
DHL suspends high value US deliveries over tariffs
Meanwhile, DHL Express, a division of Germany's Deutsche Post said it would suspend global business-to-consumer shipments worth over $800 to individuals in the United States from April 21, as US customs regulatory changes have lengthened clearance.
The notice on the company website was not dated, but its metadata showed it was compiled on Saturday.
DHL blamed the halt on new US customs rules which require formal entry processing on all shipments worth over $800. The minimum had been $2,500 until a change on April 5.
DHL said business-to-business shipments would not be suspended but could face delays. Shipments under $800 to either businesses or consumers were not affected by the changes.
The move is a temporary measure, the company said in its statement.
DHL said last week in response to Reuters questions that it would continue to process shipments from Hong Kong to the United States "in accordance with the applicable customs rules and regulations" and would "work with our customers to help them understand and adapt to the changes that are planned for May 2."
That came after Hongkong Post said last week it had suspended mail services for goods sent by sea to the United States, accusing the US of "bullying" after Washington cancelled tariff-free trade provisions for packages from China and Hong Kong.
