WEDNESDAY, MAY 21, 2025
Qatar, US sign major deals to boost cooperation
Published on May 15, 2025
By IANS
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- DOHA — Qatar and the US signed here a series of deals to boost bilateral cooperation following a meeting between the two heads of state, according to a statement from the Emiri Diwan, the administrative office of the Qatari Emir.
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- The two sides on Wednesday signed a purchase agreement for Boeing aircraft, which is described by the White House in a fact sheet elaborating on some of the deals as a "historic" sale order worth $96 billion, with Qatar Airways' acquisition of up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft, Xinhua news agency reported.
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- Qatar and the US also signed a statement of intent on defence cooperation, outlining over $38 billion in potential investments, including support for burden-sharing at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and future defence capabilities related to air and maritime security.
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- In addition, two letters of offer and acceptance were signed, one for US General Atomics MQ-9B drones and the other for a counter-drone system developed by US defence firm Raytheon, with the US securing agreements valued at about $3 billion in total, according to the White House fact sheet.
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- A joint declaration of cooperation between the two governments was also signed.
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- Prior to the signing ceremony, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and US President Donald Trump held talks on a range of bilateral issues, with a particular focus on investment, energy, military, and security cooperation.
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- They also discussed regional and international developments, particularly those in the Middle East, with the Qatari Emir emphasising the importance of promoting peace and stability in the region.
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- The US President has thanked his Qatari hosts for having helped "negotiated the release of the last living American hostage in Gaza, Edan Alexander".
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- "Hopefully, this is a stepping stone for getting the rest of the hostages back," Trump said as he spoke at a state dinner in Lusail Palace.
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- Trump also revisited some of his usual talking points, speaking about his 2024 election success and reported increases in military recruitment in the US.
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- The meeting came during Trump's visit to the Gulf state, part of his first major overseas tour since taking office in January -- a trip that also includes stops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
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