US aviation giant Boeing and Korean Air announced a deal on Monday for 103 planes as President Donald Trump presses trading partners to do more business with American firms.
The deal includes 787, 777 and 737 passenger jets, according to a joint statement from the two companies.
The new jets will come at a “pivotal moment” and modernise the South Korean flag carrier’s fleet, ensuring it stays competitive as it merges with Asiana Airlines, said Korean Air boss Walter Cho.
The agreement was announced just hours after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met Trump in Washington to discuss the 15% tariffs imposed by the US on the Asian country in July.
The deal was unveiled during a meeting between government representatives and business leaders from the two countries, with US commerce secretary Howard Lutnick and South Korea’s trade minister Kim Jung-kwan in attendance.
Boeing’s commercial airplanes chief, Stephanie Pope, hailed the order as a “landmark agreement.”
It would support some 135,000 jobs across the US, said Boeing, which employs more than 170,000 people globally.
With the latest purchase, Korean Air has placed more than 150 orders and commitments for Boeing aircraft this year.
Several countries that are negotiating trade agreements with the Trump administration have announced plans to make significant Boeing aircraft orders.
The deals have helped Boeing’s sales overtake those of its European rival, Airbus.
