Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet is set to ink a $200 million aircraft financing deal with AV Air Finance Company, a partner of investment firm KKR, during an official event in Washington on April 9. The meeting, which will also be attended by aircraft manufacturer Boeing, is seen as a part of Vietnam’s broader strategy to ease tensions with the United States following President Donald Trump’s announcement of steep tariffs on Vietnamese goods.
According to an internal schedule viewed by Reuters, the signing will take place at the Vietnamese embassy in Washington in the presence of Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc. The financing arrangement is aimed at supporting VietJet’s ongoing aircraft purchases, though it remains unclear whether the funds will go towards new orders or fulfill existing commitments.
VietJet had earlier signed a deal with Boeing to purchase 200 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, a contract initially inked in 2016 and later revised. While no jets have been delivered so far, the airline said in January that it expected the first 14 deliveries this year. VietJet is also reportedly in talks to acquire 20 Boeing 787 aircraft, signaling a deepening relationship with the American aerospace giant.
The upcoming deal and broader negotiations come at a critical time, as Vietnam faces a 46% tariff on its exports to the U.S., set to begin April 9 unless an exemption is granted. In recent weeks, Vietnam has rolled out a series of measures—including tariff cuts and pledges to increase imports from the U.S.—in a bid to reduce its trade surplus and defuse tariff threats.
While Boeing, VietJet, KKR, and Vietnam’s foreign ministry have not commented officially on the deal, analysts suggest that high-profile purchases like these could help the country demonstrate goodwill and strategic alignment with Washington during a turbulent trade environment.
