Boeing Jets Feature Prominently in New US-Central Asia Trade Deal

New U.S.-made Boeing jets are featuring prominently in the Trump administration’s foreign policy once again, this time as the centerpiece of a new deal with Central Asia. The Commerce Department announced agreements for 37 airplanes to be sold to Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
The sales were strategically announced at the C5+1 Summit in Washington, a 10th-anniversary diplomatic meeting. This highlights the administration’s transactional approach to diplomacy, where U.S. manufacturing wins are celebrated as part of foreign policy.
The deal is a major investment from the region. Air Astana (Kazakhstan) is set to buy 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Somon Air (Tajikistan) will acquire a mixed fleet of 14 aircraft (four 787s and ten 737 MAXs). Uzbekistan Airways is also committing to eight additional 787s.
For the airlines, these acquisitions are a monumental step. Air Astana, for instance, will use its new 787s to replace its small 767 fleet and explore new long-range destinations, including, for the first time, services to North America.
This 37-plane order fits a well-established pattern under President Trump. Boeing has already won hundreds of orders this year, many announced as part of larger trade agreements, as the industry also watches ongoing talks with China for a potential 500-jet sale.