A 37-plane deal for Boeing with three Central Asian nations is being highlighted by the Trump administration as a major win for U.S. manufacturing. The Commerce Department announced the agreements with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan at a high-profile diplomatic summit in Washington.
The sales were strategically unveiled at the C5+1 Summit, a 10th-anniversary meeting of U.S. and Central Asian leaders. This move underscores the administration’s focus on linking its foreign policy directly to tangible benefits for American businesses.
The orders represent a significant investment in U.S. technology. Kazakhstan’s flag carrier, Air Astana, plans to buy 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners. Tajikistan’s Somon Air intends to acquire 14 planes (a mix of 787s and 737 MAXs), and Uzbekistan Airways is committing to eight additional 787s.
For the airlines, this is a monumental modernization effort. Air Astana’s 15 new 787s will replace its small 767 fleet and enable it to launch ambitious new routes. Boeing specifically noted that this would allow the carrier to begin its first-ever services to North America.
This set of orders fits a well-established pattern under President Trump, where new U.S.-made Boeing planes are a frequent component of trade deals. This adds to a strong year for Boeing, as the company also navigates high-stakes talks for a potential 500-jet sale to China.