In a historic move during a high-profile visit to Qatar, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a monumental deal between Qatar Airways and Boeing, America’s leading aircraft manufacturer. The $200 billion agreement, signed in the Qatari capital of Doha, marks one of the largest commercial jet deals in aviation history.
The deal was sealed in the presence of Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, President Trump, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, and Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer. This strategic partnership includes the purchase of 160 Boeing aircraft, although specific models and delivery timelines have not yet been disclosed.
President Trump, currently on a diplomatic tour of Gulf states, expressed enthusiasm at the signing ceremony. “It’s over $200 billion—but 160 jets, that’s fantastic. It’s a record,” Trump said, referencing a conversation with Ortberg. “Get those planes out there,” he added with a smile, highlighting the deal’s potential to boost American manufacturing and strengthen economic ties with the Gulf region.
This agreement comes just a day after Trump struck a series of business and defense agreements with Saudi Arabia, signaling a renewed focus on deepening U.S. trade relationships across the Middle East.
While Boeing has not released an official breakdown of the aircraft involved, industry analysts estimate that if the deal includes the high-end 777X models, the cost could hover around $70 billion at standard prices. However, large airline orders often come with significant discounts, making the actual transaction value potentially lower.
Both Boeing and Qatar Airways have yet to provide public comments or confirm whether the order is firm or includes options, which would allow the airline flexibility to confirm purchases at a later date.
Still, the symbolic and strategic weight of the deal is undeniable. It underlines Qatar Airways’ ambitions to remain a global aviation powerhouse and showcases Boeing’s resilience and recovery efforts amid challenges in the global aerospace industry.
As geopolitical tensions and economic competition intensify, such high-level deals offer not just commercial advantages, but also diplomatic leverage and influence for all parties involved.
