Vietnam announces Boeing plane orders while pursuing a U.S. trade deal

Vietnamese carriers disclosed several large Boeing-related orders and service contracts worth tens of billions of dollars, while Communist Party chief To Lam is in Washington seeking a trade deal with President Donald Trump.

Vietnamese carriers announced multiple large aircraft orders and related U.S. contracts as Communist Party chief To Lam visits Washington. The announcements were presented alongside efforts to advance a trade deal with the United States. Some deals were newly disclosed and others were confirmations or expansions of previously reported agreements. The coverage ties the commercial aircraft purchases to broader trade discussions between the two countries. Key announcements: - Sun PhuQuoc Airways placed an order for 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in a deal reported at $22.5 billion; the carrier began services in November. - Vietnam Airlines finalized an $8.1 billion deal for 50 Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft that had been announced in 2023, and the airline said it is in talks to acquire about 30 additional widebody jets valued at roughly $12 billion. - VietJet Aviation announced a $5.4 billion engine and maintenance agreement with Pratt & Whitney, and a financing deal of about $965 million with Griffin Global Asset Management for six Boeing 737-8 aircraft. - The article reports Vietnam posted a record $133.9 billion trade surplus with the U.S. in 2025, a 28% increase from the prior year, and has said it will purchase more large American goods, including high-tech machinery, to address the trade imbalance. - To Lam is in Washington to attend President Trump’s Board of Peace meeting and to pursue a trade agreement, according to the report. Summary: The reported aircraft orders and related service and financing deals link significant U.S. commercial sales to Vietnam’s larger trade engagement with the United States. To Lam’s visit is described as aiming to advance a trade deal, and further outcomes are undetermined at this time.