Summary
- Donald Trump has announced a series of deals with Qatar on the second leg of his four-day Middle East tour
- Before flying to Doha, Trump met the Syrian president in Riyadh – urging Ahmed al-Sharaa to normalise relations with Israel
- The meeting came after Trump lifted sanctions on Syria, saying it would “give them a chance at greatness”
- Trump later praised the Syrian leader, calling him an “attractive guy, tough guy”
- He also said it’s possible he’ll join peace talks in Turkey with Ukraine and Russia tomorrow, which Presidents Zelensky and Putin may attend
US and Qatar sign raft of deals
As we’ve been reporting, US President Donald Trump and the Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad al-Thani have signed a raft of deals following their meeting in Doha.
Here’s a look at what was signed:
- Trump says Qatar Airways has placed a “record” order for 160 planes from Boeing worth more than $200 billion
- A letter of offer and acceptance for MQ-9B drones was also among the deals today
- They agreed on a statement of intent on defence cooperation between the US and Qatar
- A joint declaration on cooperation between the two countries was also signed
Ceremony ends
And just like that, the short ceremony in which the two leaders signed multiple agreements is over.
Trump thanks the media and his host once again before the ceremony concludes and he and the Emir are escorted out of the room.
‘We just like each other’ – Trump on Qatar leader
Trump says Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad al-Thani is an outstanding man, adding the US is in a strong position militarily.
He says tomorrow there will be “sort of an air fair” that will show the “latest” planes.
He goes on to thank the emir for the friendship. “We just like each other,” he adds.
Trump says Qatar agrees to ‘largest order of jets’ in Boeing’s history
Trump is now speaking and he thanks Qatar for being so helpful.
He says the pair discussed the world, the war in Ukraine, and Iran – which he describes as an “interesting situation”.
“I have a feeling it’s going to work out,” he says.
He then moves to the topic of trade, and the Boeing agreement in particular, which he says is the “largest order of jets” in the history of the company.
Emir of Qatar says meeting between the leaders was ‘great’
Trump and the Qatari Emir have just signed a joint declaration of cooperation between Qatar and US.
At the start of a joint statement, the Emir describes their meeting as “great” and says they discussed many issues, including the situation in the region.
He says he believes they are “going to another level of a relationship between Qatar and the US”.
Leaders continue with signing agreements
After a brief applause following the initial signing, the pair move on to oversee the signing of letter of intent on defence, with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth signing the document.
Trump then exchanges a few words with him.
Trump and Emir witness signing of aircraft agreement
US President Donald Trump and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani are now sitting down to oversee an agreement on the purchase of Boeing planes.
This follows a meeting between the pair that went on for over an hour.
We’re expecting statements from the leaders shortly.
American businessman ‘elated’ about US lifting of sanctions on Syria
Whilst we wait for President Trump to give a statement following his meeting with the Emir of Qatar, we can bring you some comments from US businessman Jonathan Bass, who says he is “elated” about the US lifting of sanction on Syria.
Bass, chief executive of energy company Argent, headed up a US delegation that went to Damascus at the start of May and met Syria’s new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, for several hours.
Speaking to the BBC World Service’s Newshour programme, Bass says people in Syria “have been living in the darkness, it’s worse than Communism what they’ve experienced”.
“When you look at the people on the street, their eyes are with despair, they shake, they can’t focus on looking at you in the eyes because they’re afraid of being locked up, thrown away and killed.”
Bass says there is a “huge opportunity” for the world to “reset the region”, adding that al-Sharaa has an opportunity to become “the leader of a regional power”.
“If he chooses the right path forward, he brings the country out of darkness and despair, and into honey and sugar.”
Officials gather ahead of US-Qatar statement
We’re still waiting for Trump and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, to appear after their meeting.
They’re expected to make statements and US and Qatari officials have started to gather in the room.
US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt are among those attending.
Regional peace, World Cup and ‘perfecto marble’ – Trump and Emir’s first remarks
A transcript of the first exchange between Trump and the Emir of Qatar is starting to trickle in.
As they sat down in a luxurious, incense-scented ceremonial room in front of reporters, during a lavish reception at the Old Amiri Palace, the Emir told Trump: “I know that you are a man of peace.”
He also mentioned Qatar hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup, telling Trump “there wasn’t one incident there”.
“You did a great job,” Trump responded.
Trump said he and the Emir already liked and worked with each other, adding “now we can work in the highest capacity”.
He added: “We’ll bring peace, not only here, but I know you’re very much involved in helping us in other regions like what’s happening with Russia-Ukraine.”
The US president then paused and looked around, marvelling at the architecture of the luxurious palace.
“The job you’ve done is second to none. You look at this, it’s so beautiful. As a construction person, I’m seeing perfect marble. This is what they call perfecto.”
Lavish reception for Trump in Qatar
Trump is now holding a meeting with the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamin bin Hamad al-Thani, at the luxurious Old Amiri Palace.
As expected, it’s another lavish reception for the US president in the oil-rich Gulf state.
