Qatar Airways to buy 160 jets from Boeing, per deal with Trump

President Trump finalized a deal Wednesday for Qatar Airways to spend more than $200 billion to purchase 160 aircraft from Boeing.

The agreement, amid Mr. Trump’s trip to Doha, was also signed by Qatar Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg.

“It’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing. That’s pretty good,” Mr. Trump said after signing the deal.

The emir said the pact takes the U.S.-Qatar relationship to “another level.”

“I want to thank you, Mr. President, for this historic visit,” the emir said.

Under the agreement, Qatar will purchase wide-body jets and will have an option to buy more. The deal aligns with Mr. Trump’s push for Gulf states such as Qatar and Saudi Arabia to invest in U.S. manufacturing.

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“The Middle East is being talked about all over the world and we’re having a lot to do with it,” he said.

Mr. Trump on Tuesday secured $600 billion in investments from Saudi Arabia. The deal includes $142 billion for defense and security equipment and $20 billion for artificial intelligence.

Ahead of the president’s Mideast trip, Qatar announced it was giving him a $400 million Boeing 747 jumbo jet, which would become Air Force One for his term, then be turned over to his presidential library. The plane has been dubbed a “palace in the sky.”

“I think it’s a great gesture from Qatar. I appreciate it very much,” Mr. Trump said from the White House on Monday. “I would never be one to turn down that kind of offer. I mean, I could be a stupid person and say, ’No, we don’t want a free, very expensive airplane.’ But it was — I thought it was a great gesture.”

The deal drew criticism from Democrats and even Trump supporters such as conservatives Laura Loomer and Ben Shapiro.

Rep. Ritchie Torres, New York Democrat, described the deal as a “flying grift.” He said it violates the Constitution’s ban on anyone holding federal office from accepting gifts from foreign governments.

Ms. Loomer criticized Qatar’s financial support of Iranian proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

“This is really going to be such a stain on the [administration] if true. And I say that as someone who would take a bullet for Trump. This is so disappointing,” she wrote on X.