Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – US President Donald Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani signed several important agreements during a ceremony in the Qatari capital on Tuesday.
One of the biggest deals is an agreement for Qatar Airways to buy more than 160 Boeing airplanes. Trump said the deal is worth over $200 billion and called it a “record sale” for the U.S. aircraft company.
The agreements aim to boost relations between the two countries in trade, defense, and diplomacy.
The two countries also signed a number of defense agreements. These include a letter of intent on defense cooperation and a letter of offer and acceptance for the purchase of MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles (drones).
A joint declaration was also signed to strengthen cooperation between the US and Qatar.
The two leaders spoke to the media after the ceremony. The Qatari Emir said the talks were very successful and that the agreements would take relations “to another level.”
Trump also praised the Emir, calling him “an outstanding man” and said they had a “very interesting couple of hours” discussing issues like Iran, the Russia-Ukraine war, and trade.
Read also: Trump Ends Sanctions on Syria, Urges New Start Amid Shifting Middle East Alliances
In addition, Qatar’s central bank governor, Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al Thani, met with billionaire Elon Musk during Trump’s visit. According to the central bank, they discussed global finance and investment.
Musk had been leading a US advisory panel on government efficiency, appointed by Trump at the start of his second term. The panel has made major changes in the US federal government, though Musk began stepping back from the role in late April.
This visit is part of Trump’s four-day tour to the Gulf region, specifically Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. The US president began his visit yesterday with Saudi Arabia, where he signed $600 billion in deals with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).
The fact that Trump bypassed Israel during the visit prompted speculations of tensions with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Trump said today that strong US-Gulf ties benefit Israel.
“This is good for Israel … Having a relationship like I have with these countries … I think it’s very good for Israel,” he told Air Force One before landing in Qatar.
