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16 May 2025
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US, Qatar seal $243.5b deals

The deals, announced during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Qatar, are expected to generate a broader economic impact of over $1.2 trillion, according to the White House.

The United States and Qatar have signed an unprecedented series of agreements worth more than $243.5 billion, deepening their strategic partnership and paving the way for long-term economic, defence, and technological cooperation. The deals, announced during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Qatar, are expected to generate a broader economic impact of over $1.2 trillion, according to the White House.

At the heart of the agreements is a $96 billion aviation deal that will see Qatar Airways acquire up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft, powered by GE Aerospace engines. The White House described it as Boeing’s “largest-ever widebody order and largest-ever 787 order”, underscoring the significance of the sale for American manufacturing and the aviation sector.

“These landmark deals will drive innovation and prosperity for generations, bolster American manufacturing and technological leadership, and put America on the path to a new Golden Age,” said a statement from the White House.

At the heart of the agreements is a $96 billion aviation deal that will see Qatar Airways acquire up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft, powered by GE Aerospace engines.

President Trump, who arrived in Doha on the second day of his Middle East tour following a visit to Saudi Arabia, hailed the agreements as a reflection of a “new era of US-Gulf cooperation”. At a state dinner held at Lusail Palace, he thanked Qatar for its key role in regional diplomacy and the recent negotiation that led to the release of Edan Alexander, the last living American hostage held in Gaza. “Hopefully, this is a stepping stone to getting the rest of the hostages back,” he said.

Beyond aviation, American firms secured a range of multi-billion-dollar deals across sectors. Parsons Corporation won 30 projects in Qatar valued at up to $97 billion, while McDermott, an energy services firm, secured seven projects worth $8.5 billion. Meanwhile, Quantinuum, a US quantum computing firm, finalised a $1 billion joint venture with Al Rabban Capital to accelerate quantum technology development and build high-tech workforce capabilities in the US.

On the defence front, Qatar agreed to purchase counter-drone systems from Raytheon in a deal worth $1 billion, and signed another agreement with General Atomics for the acquisition of MQ-9B unmanned aerial systems, valued at nearly $2 billion. These form part of a broader statement of intent signed between the two nations, outlining more than $38 billion in future defence investments. These include plans for burden-sharing at Al Udeid Air Base—America’s largest military base in the Middle East—and enhancements to Qatar’s air defence and maritime security capabilities.

The two governments also signed a joint declaration of cooperation, reaffirming their shared commitment to regional stability, technological progress, and economic growth. In a parallel statement from the Emiri Diwan, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani expressed his country’s eagerness to deepen ties with the United States, noting that the new agreements “reflect our mutual desire to expand cooperation in critical sectors including energy, defence, and innovation”.

Qatar, which was designated a major non-NATO ally by the US in 2022, continues to emerge as a key American partner in the Gulf. With a proven track record in diplomacy and a growing investment portfolio in the United States, Doha’s role is increasingly pivotal in the US strategy for the region.

President Trump, who spoke about his 2024 election victory and recent increases in US military recruitment during his visit, has made foreign investment and defence partnerships a cornerstone of his administration’s international agenda. His visit to Qatar follows similar stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, marking his first major overseas tour since returning to office in January.

As the US strengthens its alliances in the Gulf, the magnitude and diversity of these new deals with Qatar signal a deepening strategic convergence—one that combines economic ambition, security collaboration, and a shared interest in technological innovation.

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