A key outcome of Trump’s visit is Boeing securing a purchase agreement for up to 210 jets worth $96bn (around QAR 350.15bn), marking the plane-manufacturer’s largest ever order.
U.S. President Donald Trump wrapped up his two-day visit to Qatar on Thursday after holding high-level discussions with Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and securing major investment deals.
Sheikh Tamim and Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, bid Trump farewell at the Al-Udeid Air Base before his departure to the United Arab Emirates.
Trump was at the region’s largest U.S. military base, where he addressed thousands of American troops. During his remarks, he he announced that Qatar would invest $10bn (around QAR 36.47bn) to support the facility.
“Qatar will also be investing $10 billion to support this massive base in the coming years, and there’s no place like it, they say,” Trump told the military personnel.
“The Amir, he’s been a special friend of mine for a long time, long before I did the political thing when he was a novice. He was a young guy and we got to know each other and we liked each other and got along, long before I ever thought of running for president,” he added.
Trump’s visit marked the first by a sitting US president to Qatar since 2003, when George W. Bush last visited the country.
Sheikh Tamim and Trump held a couple of hours of discussions at the Amiri Diwan on Wednesday, which focused on the enhancement of bilateral relations and regional developments.
“We had a couple of hours of great meetings with the president and we discussed many issues, our great bilateral relationship and also the situation in the region,” Sheikh Tamim told the press in a joint briefing with Trump.
The American president also praised the Qatari leader, highlighting their long-standing friendship.
“Long before any of this stuff, we just liked each other,” Trump said.
A key outcome of Trump’s visit is Boeing securing a purchase agreement for 210 jets worth $96bn (around QAR 350.15bn), marking the plane-manufacturer’s largest ever order.
Qatar and the U.S. also penned statements of intent over enhancing defence cooperation as well as the acceptance of the sale of MQ-9B drones and FS-LIDS air defence systems.
A White House fact sheet pointed that the deals inked in Qatar are set to generate $1.2 trillion (around QAR 4.36 trillion) in economic exchange between both countries.
Qatar’s Amir and his Consort, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, then hosted a state banquet in honour of Trump at Lusail Palace.
During the dinner, Sheikh Tamim highlighted the strength of Doha and Washington’s ties while placing emphasis on ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the war in the Gaza Strip.
“Right now, even as we gather tonight, our teams are engaged in intensive diplomacy to secure a ceasefire in Gaza to protect all civilians, especially innocent women and children, and ensure the release of all hostages,” Sheikh Tamim said.
Qatar, Egypt and the U.S. have been mediating between Hamas and Israel in an effort to reach a deal that would result in a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli captives.
The mediators had brokered a truce deal on January 15, which Israel ended on March 18 by resuming its genocidal war in the Gaza Strip while completely blocking the entry of aid.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed more than 61,700 people in the Gaza Strip, according to a revised figure by the local health ministry. However, the figure is believed to be significantly higher with thousands trapped under the rubble.
“Time is short. The people across the region are watching, not for words, but for outcomes. They are waiting to see if this moment brings that peace,” Sheikh Tamim said.
“If we act together, we have a real shot at ending the bloodshed and restoring regional confidence[…]Let this visit not just reinforce our alliance, but demonstrate that when leaders act, peace moves closer,” he added.
