Boeing signs $96B jet sale deal with Qatar Airways
Boeing, the American multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells airplanes, rotorcraft, rockets, satellites, and missiles worldwide, signed a major deal with Qatar Airways, the flag carrier of Qatar, during the visit of United States (US) President Donald Trump to Qatar.
Economic deals Trump scored during his Middle East Trip
During his current visit to the Middle East and Gulf countries, US President Donald Trump witnessed the signing of a sales agreement between Boeing and Qatar Airways. Notably, the massive deal includes the sale of 210 wide-body civilian airliners to Qatar Airways by Boeing. According to sources, Qatar offered Trump a 747-8 luxury jet for his official use.
It is worth noting that Boeing had recently been struggling and was considered a beleaguered company. President Trump witnessed the signing of the agreement during a ceremony in Doha, as part of his current visit to the Middle East and Gulf countries, where he aimed to secure major economic deals for the United States.
According to the White House, the Boeing-Qatar Airways deal is valued at approximately $96 billion and includes the sale of about 130 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 30 777X planes, with options for 50 additional aircraft.
Qatar offered US President Donald Trump a 747-8 luxury jet valued at $400 million as a gift for his personal use, which raised multiple national security and ethical concerns, according to critics.
Among the other economic deals signed by President Trump during his visit to the Middle East and Gulf countries is the US-Saudi Arabia arms deal, valued at approximately $142 billion. This agreement now ranks as the largest arms deal in history.
Notably, the arms deal is part of a broader $600 billion investment package between the United States and Saudi Arabia, covering various sectors. The package includes approximately $20 billion for artificial intelligence (AI) data centers, $14.2 billion for gas turbines and other energy equipment, and $5 billion for the purchase of Boeing 737-8 jets.
Additionally, the United States approved a deal with Qatar for the sale of MQ-9B drones valued at nearly $2 billion. This deal is considered significant as it aims to enhance Qatar’s military capabilities, particularly given Qatar’s role as host to one of the largest US military bases in the Middle East.
Another recent arms deal was signed with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), involving the sale of CH-47F Chinook helicopters and related equipment at an estimated cost of $1.32 billion. According to the White House, the UAE will use the helicopters for search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian support, and counterterrorism operations.
