American companies are having quite the moment overseas. Thanks in part to the US Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, US firms have locked in foreign government procurement contracts worth $244 billion in 2025. That's nearly triple what they secured in 2024, and Boeing Co. (BA) deserves most of the credit for the surge.

Boeing's Comeback Year

The International Trade Administration reported that this massive jump stems largely from a substantial increase in Boeing jetliner orders, according to Reuters on Friday. And when you look at the numbers, it's easy to see why. Boeing's net jetliner orders skyrocketed to 1,075 in 2025, up from just 377 in 2024. That marks the company's sixth-best order year ever and the first time in seven years it's outpaced rival Airbus SE (EADSY) in net orders.

These contracts aren't just big numbers on paper. They include about $206 billion in US export content and are expected to support roughly 844,000 American jobs. That boost comes partly from foreign spending commitments tied to recent trade deals under President Donald Trump.

More Than Just Planes

While Boeing drove the headline numbers, the $244 billion total paints a broader picture. The agency noted that the contracts include $10 billion in defense deals, $7 billion in energy contracts, and $3.4 billion in technology agreements spanning AI, cybersecurity, fintech, and healthcare sectors.

Government Contracts as Economic Engine

This foreign contract surge highlights just how much international trade deals can move the needle for the American economy. It's not a new phenomenon either. Investor Ross Gerber has previously emphasized how government contracts drive success for major US companies beyond just defense contractors. Take Elon Musk's Tesla Inc. (TSLA) and SpaceX, for example. A Washington Post investigation in February found that those two companies alone have received more than $38 billion in federal contracts, subsidies, and loans over the past two decades.

The growing defense and technology component is particularly notable. The substantial increase in defense sector contracts, including those in critical technology areas, points to a growing reliance on US companies for infrastructure and national security needs. Case in point: Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc. (HII) recently announced it made the Pentagon shortlist for a $25 billion contract.

The bottom line? Government contracts, whether domestic or foreign, continue to be a significant driver of corporate performance and job creation for American companies across multiple sectors.