Qatar, US sign major deals to boost cooperation

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (2nd R) and U.S. President Donald Trump (2nd L) witness the signing of a series of deals at the Amiri Diwan in Doha, Qatar, on May 14, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Qatar and the United States signed on Wednesday 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.

The two sides 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 U.S. dollars, with Qatar Airways' acquisition of up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft.

Qatar and the U.S. also signed a statement of intent on defense cooperation, outlining over 38 billion dollars in potential investments, including support for burden-sharing at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar and future defense capabilities related to air and maritime security.

In addition, two letters of offer and acceptance were signed, one for U.S. General Atomics MQ-9B drones and the other for a counter-drone system developed by U.S. defense firm Raytheon, with the U.S. securing agreements valued at about 3 billion dollars in total, according to the White House fact sheet.

A joint declaration of cooperation between the two governments was also signed.

Prior to the signing ceremony, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and U.S. President Donald Trump held talks on a range of bilateral issues, with a particular focus on investment, energy, military, and security cooperation.

They also discussed regional and international developments, particularly those in the Middle East, with the Qatari emir emphasizing the importance of promoting peace and stability in the region.

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.