Robert Ortberg on trade policy
From Boeing Co ($BA) Q4 2025 Earnings Call · · Castify Earnings Call
“I think if you step back from all the dynamics day in day out, look I think the at least the US administration fully understands the importance of commercial aerospace to the economy to the US economy. They've been very supportive and we've worked through what initially looked like some pretty hairy tariff environments to resulting in pretty good outcomes.”
On , Robert Ortberg, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director at Boeing, spoke about trade policy during Boeing Co ($BA) Q4 2025 Earnings Call on Castify Earnings Call.
About Robert Ortberg
In late May 2026, Ortberg announced that Boeing would begin production on a new 737 Max assembly line in Everett, Washington, on July 6, and that the company was increasing production from 42 to 47 aircraft per month. He stated that the company had "reset" its track record by ensuring the production system was stable before increasing rates, and that key metrics around production line stability had been "pretty good." On the company's first-quarter 2026 earnings call, Ortberg said Boeing was on track to generate positive cash flow for the full year and expressed confidence that an upcoming summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping could result in a large aircraft order from China, calling it a "meaningful opportunity." He also highlighted the defense sector, noting that the new defense budget included significant increases for programs such as the F-47, KC-46 tanker, and F-15EX, and said Boeing's defense portfolio was "well positioned" for growth. During the fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call, Ortberg reported that Boeing had delivered 600 airplanes and won over 1,000 commercial orders for the year, and that the company had completed the acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems and the $10.6 billion sale of portions of its digital aviation solutions business. On the third-quarter 2025 call, he acknowledged a delay in the certification and first delivery of the 777X, now expected in 2027, resulting in a $4.9 billion non-cash charge, but noted that the company had turned cash positive in the quarter and was receiving positive customer feedback on quality and delivery performance. Earlier in 2025, Ortberg discussed the company's efforts to manage tariff risks, the selection of Boeing for the F-47 sixth-generation fighter program, and the equity raise and divestiture that strengthened the balance sheet.