KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia has agreed to purchase an additional 30 Boeing aircraft, valued at US$9.5 billion, as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral trade relations with the United States.
Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said, during a media briefing today, this move follows successful negotiations between the two nations, which resulted in a reduction of the US import tariff on Malaysian products from 25% to 19%, effective from August 8.
He confirmed that the purchase of the aircraft is one of several trade commitments agreed upon during the discussions.
The decision was driven by both commercial factors and the long-term needs of Malaysia’s aviation sector, which aims to enhance the country’s position as a regional aviation hub.
In March, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) had placed an order for 30 Boeing 737 aircraft, which will include 18 737-8 models and 12 737-10s, with deliveries set to occur gradually by 2030.
The Boeing deal also involves other nations, including Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, as part of a wider multilateral agreement. This trade commitment has led to the United States easing tariffs for its key trading partners — August 1, 2025