In 2025, U.S. companies secured foreign government procurement contracts worth $244 billion with assistance from the ITA, nearly three times the $87 billion recorded in 2024.
Boeing’s net jetliner orders rose dramatically to 1,075 in 2025 from 377 in 2024, marking the company’s sixth-best order year ever and the first time it topped rival Airbus in net orders in seven years.
Officials reported that contracts included around $206 billion in U.S. export content, supporting an estimated 844,000 American jobs, spanning manufacturing, services, and logistics.
Key Contracts and Sector Breakdown
Aviation and Aerospace
Aerospace deals accounted for the majority of the export-assisted total:
- Boeing and GE Aerospace contracts constituted approximately $215 billion of the total value.
- The largest individual contract was a Qatar Airways deal for up to 210 Boeing widebody jets (787 and 777X), valued at around $96 billion, including engines.
- A significant $50 billion Boeing order from Korean Air Lines was also included, tied to a broader U.S.–Korea trade and investment initiative.
Aircraft order totals were based primarily on list prices, which may differ from actual revenue realized upon delivery. Most revenues from these contracts are expected to be recognized as aircraft are delivered over subsequent years.
Non-Aerospace Sectors
While aerospace dominated, other sectors also contributed:
- Defense contracts: approximately $10 billion.
- Energy sector contracts: around $7 billion.
- Technology and related deals: about $3.4 billion, including AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and healthcare services.
The ITA reported deals such as a $4.2 billion Wabtec contract to supply heavy-haul locomotive kits to Kazakhstan, demonstrating export diversity beyond aerospace.
U.S. Trade Advocacy and Export Policy
The International Trade Administration plays a key role in facilitating U.S. export opportunities by coordinating with federal agencies and foreign procurement entities. The ITA’s Advocacy Center advises companies on bidding strategies and arranges high-level meetings to promote U.S. firms internationally.
The 2025 gains occurred amid recently negotiated trade deals that included spending commitments from foreign partners, which helped position U.S. companies for contract wins.
Shifts in global procurement patterns, particularly in aviation and heavy industry; underscore how policy, advocacy, and strategic relationship building influence export success.
Why Boeing’s Order Surge Matters
Rebound from Industry Challenges
Boeing’s order growth in 2025 represented a strong rebound following years of production challenges and safety issues that had weighed on demand and reputation.
- Orders outpaced Airbus net orders for the first time since 2018.
- The 2025 tally ranked among Boeing’s top six years historically.
Economic and Employment Impact
Aviation export strength supports a large U.S. employment base across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and professional services. The scale of export content mirrors the strategic importance of aerospace to U.S. industrial capabilities.
Industry Insight: Aviation Policy and Global Trade
Aviation Procurement Trends
- Commercial aircraft procurement often reflects broader trends in global aviation demand, airline fleet renewal cycles, and capacity expansion. Airlines typically announce orders years before delivery, with revenue recognition closely tied to delivery schedules.
- List prices for commercial aircraft serve as a baseline, but negotiated pricing can vary greatly based on order size, delivery terms, ancillary services, and long-term support agreements.
Regulatory and Economic Forces
- International civil aviation is heavily influenced by regulatory frameworks from authorities such as ICAO and IATA, which set standards for safety, operations, and market access that indirectly shape procurement decisions.
- Trade agreements, whether bilateral or multilateral; further determine tariff treatments and reciprocal access for aerospace exports, which in turn influence competitiveness.
Industry Outlook and What’s Next
Aviation Demand and Delivery Schedules
- As backlog orders translate into deliveries over the coming years, Boeing and other OEMs will likely see more export revenue flow, contingent on production capacity, supply chain stability, and regulatory approvals.
Geopolitical and Market Dynamics
- Shifts in global trade policies, including possible tariff changes or new aviation-related trade agreements, could affect future procurement landscapes. Continued U.S. export advocacy will remain crucial for maintaining competitiveness.
Competitive Landscape
- Airbus continues to be Boeing’s primary competitor globally; tracking net orders, delivery performance, and market share in different regions will be critical for assessing broader industry health.
