Secretary Raimondo: Statement on Saudi Arabia’s purchase of Boeing aircraft

Today, after the announcement by Riyadh Air and Saudia of their selection of (78) 787 Boeing aircraft with options for (43) more 787 Boeing aircraft for their expansion plans, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo released the following statement:

“I want to congratulate Boeing and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on finalizing one of the largest commercial agreements in the history of the U.S.-Saudi partnership. Today’s announcement will deliver world-class passenger aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and power economic growth and job creation in both countries.

“This is a clear win for American manufacturers and workers, supporting more than 140,000 jobs at over 300 Boeing suppliers across 38 states. Moreover, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has selected GE Aerospace’s GEnx engine to power the aircraft, providing billions more in U.S. exports and supporting good-paying American jobs. Under President Biden, America is experiencing a manufacturing renaissance, and agreements like the one announced today underscore the strength of America’s private sector, workers, and technology in the competitive global landscape.

“Today’s announcement, when taken together with the historic announcement last month between Boeing and Air India, means Boeing in a period of weeks has closed two of its largest commercial transactions in the history of the company. The Department of Commerce was pleased to support these landmark deals.

“We are also proud to have American companies anchor Saudi Arabia’s new flagship international airline together with a new international airport. In 1945, President Franklin D. Roosevelt provided King Abdulaziz al Saud with Saudi Arabia’s first airplane, a DC-3 Dakota. Today’s announcement is a fitting tribute to an economic partnership between our two countries now in its eighth decade.”