- Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani says Qatar and US have taken their relationship to “another level” after signing deals to boost defence and trade ties.
- The deals come after talks between US President Donald Trump and the emir in Doha, the first state visit by a US president to Qatar.
- Earlier in the day, Trump had reaffirmed the US strategic commitment and partnership with the region in a speech at the summit of the US and Gulf Cooperation Council in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
- Trump met his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa, on the sidelines of the summit a day after the US president announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria.
- Trump will conclude his four-day visit to the region in the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
Saudi Aramco says deals with US companies worth up to $90bn
The announcement comes hours after Trump departed Riyadh, the first stop on his Middle East trip.
The state-owned oil company said it has signed a total of 34 preliminary agreements with major US companies.
The deals span liquid natural gas, fuels, chemicals, emission-reduction technologies and artificial intelligence, it said.
During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Riyadh pledged $600bn in US investments, and $142bn in arms agreements.
White House says US-Qatar deal will generate $1.2 trillion in ‘economic exchange’
In a statement, the White House has said the agreements signed today between Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani will “generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion”.
The statement pointed to $243.5 in economic deals, which includes Qatar Airways buying Boeing planes, weapons acquisitions, and deals related to natural gas and quantum technologies.
It also said the US and Qatar had signed a statement of intent outlining over $38bn in potential investments including support for burden-sharing at Al Udeid Air Base, as well as future defense capabilities related to air defense and maritime security.
The remainder of the figure cited by the Trump administration was less clear, with the White House pointing to several pre-existing agreements between the two countries.
White House releases details on Qatar agreements
The White House has released more information on the agreements reached today with Qatar.
Here are some of the top takeaways:
- Qatar Airways reached an agreement with Boeing and GE Aerospace to acquire up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines. The deal is valued at $96bn.
- Qatar will acquire “counter-drone” capabilities from US defence company Raytheon, valued at $1bn.
- Qatar will acquire MQ-9B drones from General Atomics, a deal valued at $2bn.
If you’re just joining us
Here’s the latest:
- Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, says Doha and Washington are going to another level of relations as US President Donald Trump visits the Gulf country.
- The two countries have signed a range of agreements, including several defence deals and an agreement for Qatar Airways to buy Boeing aircraft.
- US, Turkish and Syrian officials announce they will meet on Thursday to discuss details of Trump’s planned sanctions relief for Syria.
- Trump says US-Gulf ties benefit Israel despite the perception that the close US ally has been sidelined during Trump’s Middle East visit.
Qatar Central Bank governor meets Musk
Qatar’s central bank governor, Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani, has met billionaire Elon Musk on the sidelines of Trump’s visit.
The pair discussed developments in global finance and investment, the bank said in a post on X.
Trump tapped Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency advisory panel at the start of his second term.
The panel has since led a controversial overhaul of the US federal government. Musk began to step back from the role in late April.
Trump denies knowledge of $2bn crypto deal connected to family
The Trump family’s crypto ties and regional investments have loomed large during the trip, with critics saying they raise conflict of interest concerns.
Earlier today, Trump was asked about a deal between a Trump-family-founded company, World Liberty Financial, and a state-backed investment company in Abu Dhabi.
The deal would see the Abu Dhabi firm use a type of World Liberty Financial’s cryptocurrency, known as “stablecoin”, to back a $2bn investment in Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. Critics say the Trump family interests would directly profit.
When asked about the deal, Trump replied, “I don’t know anything about it.”
Which Boeing aircraft will be part of the deal?
That’s not clear yet.
Based on the most recent published value for Boeing’s most expensive jet, the 777X, a deal for 160 of the long-range aircraft would be worth about $70bn, but aviation analysts said airlines typically get large discounts for bulk deals.
As we’ve been reporting, Trump said the agreement with Qatar is for 160 jets and is worth more than $200bn.
The US president said Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg – who signed the deal with Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer next to Trump and the Qatari emir – told him: “It’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing.”
Qatar considered a major non-NATO ally of the US
Former US President Joe Biden formally issued the designation to Qatar in 2022 in a move that upgraded the partnership between Doha and Washington.
As a major non-NATO ally, Qatar enjoys special economic and military privileges in its relationship with the US.
The US State Department says on its website that the designation “is a powerful symbol of the close relationship the United States shares with those countries and demonstrates our deep respect for the friendship for the countries to which it is extended”.
Qatar became the third country in the Gulf region after Kuwait and Bahrain to become a major US non-NATO ally.
In 2024, Qatar also became the first Gulf country admitted into the US visa waiver programme. The move allows Qatari citizens to travel visa-free to the country for up to 90 days.
Boeing deal a ‘win-win’ for Qatar, US
Faisal Al-Mudahka, editor-in-chief of the Gulf Times, says Qatar Airways’ purchase of more than 160 Boeing aircraft – a deal Trump has hailed as the company’s largest ever – is a “win-win”.
As one of the world’s top airlines with a growing market, Qatar Airways has more demand than supply at the moment and will need the fleet, he says.
“I think Donald Trump and Qatar know how to package things to make political gains and economic gains.”
Photos: US and Qatar sign agreements in Doha
US envoy says ‘making progress’ on Gaza
We saw the very important deals that were signed. [Trump and the Qatari emir] talked for a long time and they said they talked a long time about the issues of the world, and they didn’t really tell us a great deal of what was discussed behind closed doors.
But as they were leaving, the emir and the president, myself and a couple of other journalists spotted Steve Witkoff, who is the US presidential envoy dealing with the conflict in Ukraine and the war on Gaza.
So I ran up to him and asked him about both situations, and I think his tone was pretty telling – he was very positive on both files. With regard to the war on Gaza, he said I think we’re making progress.
I said, progress on what – on getting aid in, or on an actual ceasefire? And he said we’re making progress on all fronts.
What agreements were signed between the US and Qatar?
We’ve been reporting on a series of bilateral agreements signed during Trump’s visit.
They include:
- An agreement for Qatar Airways’ purchase of Boeing aircraft. Trump said the agreement is for more than 160 jets worth over $200bn.
- A range of defence agreements, including a letter of intent on defence cooperation and a letter of offer and acceptance for MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles.
- A joint declaration of cooperation between the two states.
US and Qatari leaders enjoy ‘very positive, strong relationship’
We have more analysis from Omar Rahman, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs fellow, after the signing ceremony.
On ties between US-Qatari leaders: “They have a very positive, strong relationship. You don’t hear people talk in those types of terms, the way Trump talks about the leaders in this region. So I think they do have a very good relationship.”
On the lack of mention of Gaza: “The fact that Gaza wasn’t mentioned leads me to believe that the discussion is ongoing. And we have to understand that this one is more difficult than say Syrian sanctions. When it comes to Syrian sanctions, that’s Trump making a decision that Trump can make on his own. When it comes to Iran, even, this is something that Trump is going to decide along with his counterpart, the Iranians. When it comes to Gaza, you have the Israelis there as well. On the issue of a ceasefire, Trump can put pressure on the Israelis … but you still have the Israelis there making decisions. This is going to be a little bit more difficult to work out.”
‘No news is good news’: Gaza not mentioned in brief remarks
Faisal al-Mudahka, editor-in-chief of The Gulf Times, says the fact that Gaza was not brought up during the signing ceremony is not cause for concern.
“It is an agreed upon joint statement and that’s the protocol,” he told Al Jazeera, adding that the issue of Gaza is likely with the two countries’ respective mediators.
“I think no news is good news,” al-Mudahka said.
Emir says Qatar, US taking relations to ‘another level’
Trump and the Qatari emir have delivered more remarks after the signing ceremony.
The emir said the two leaders had a “great” few hours of discussion covering a range of issues. “I think after signing these documents, we are going to another level of relations,” he said.
Trump also thanked the Qatari emir and said it had been a “very interesting couple of hours” discussing topics including the Russia-Ukraine war, Iran and trade relations.
He hailed what he described as a record sale reached for US aircraft company Boeing.
“We’ve been friends for a long time and this is an outstanding man,” Trump said about the emir.
