US President Donald Trump has announced a historic trade deal with Qatar, including a record order for 160 Boeing aircraft, as part of his ongoing Middle East tour aimed at deepening economic ties in the region.
The deal, signed in Doha on Wednesday alongside Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is valued at $96 billion and includes up to 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777x aircraft, powered by GE Aerospace engines. The White House described the order as Boeing’s largest-ever for wide-body jets.
“This is Boeing’s largest-ever widebody order and largest-ever 787 order,” read a fact sheet released by the White House, highlighting the significance of the deal.
Trump, addressing the scale of the agreement, remarked, “It's over $200 billion, but 160 in terms of the jets. That's fantastic. So that's a record. It's the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing. That's pretty good.”
While the complete details of the order have not yet been made public, the agreement is seen as a significant boost for Boeing, which has delivered 65 planes to Qatar Airways since 2016, according to the aerospace giant’s website.
Also read: Is Trump side-stepping Israel for a Saudi trade deal?
The deal comes just days after Trump’s visit to Riyadh, where Saudi Arabia committed to a $600 billion investment in the United States, aimed at strengthening energy security, defence capabilities, technology leadership, and access to critical minerals.
Trump’s Middle East tour has also sparked discussions about his administration’s deepening ties with Gulf nations. Notably, Qatar has reportedly offered Trump a $400 million luxury aircraft, potentially as a new Air Force One, further symbolising the close relationship between Washington and Doha.
Trump’s recent moves have been framed as part of a broader effort to “Make America Great Again” through strategic investments and trade agreements. A White House fact sheet noted, “President Trump is delivering on his promise to Make America Great Again by catalysing investment and negotiating fair trade deals to accelerate American employment and prosperity.”
As Trump’s Middle East tour continues, speculation is mounting about a possible deal with the United Arab Emirates, which could further solidify America’s economic influence in the region.
Boeing shares rose by 1.6 per cent following the announcement of the Qatar deal, reflecting investor confidence in the long-term benefits of the agreement.
Trump’s ambitious trade strategy, which has already included a US-UK trade agreement, is aimed at securing trillions in US-based investments and cementing America’s position as a global economic powerhouse.
Follow us
