Boeing should “default China” over returned planes says Trump, whatever that means

In a Thursday morning post on Truth Social, President Trump lashed out at China over its retaliation against Boeing.

Last week, the country reportedly ordered its airlines to stop taking deliveries from the plane maker. Early this week, at least two 737s marked for delivery in China were returned to sender.

“Boeing should default China for not taking the beautifully finished planes that China committed to purchase,” Trump wrote.

It’s unclear what the president means by “default China” — but he may be suggesting the US manufacturer cancel its existing orders from Chinese airlines or stop building planes for those carriers.

Boeing, which is lined up to deliver 50 jets to China this year, is already considering the latter. “It’s an unfortunate situation but... we’re not going to continue to build aircraft for customers who will not take them,” CEO Kelly Ortberg said in a call with investors after the company reported earnings on Wednesday. Reports of other global customers inquiring about taking the deliveries bound for Chinese airlines have already begun to pop up.