President Donald Trump confirmed a $200 billion agreement between Boeing and Qatar Airways during his official visit to Doha on Wednesday. The deal includes the purchase of 160 commercial jets, marking a significant boost for the American aerospace giant. Trump and Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, personally signed the agreement, signaling closer economic cooperation between the two nations.
“It’s over $200 billion—160 jets. That’s fantastic,” Trump said during the signing ceremony, congratulating Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who was also in attendance.
The agreement comes at a critical time for Boeing. The company has struggled to recover from a turbulent 2024, which included a high-profile safety incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 Max and a months-long machinists’ strike that disrupted production. Boeing’s total aircraft deliveries dropped by 34% last year, and gross orders fell sharply, underscoring the urgency of securing new deals.
Trump’s announcement is part of a broader effort to revive U.S. manufacturing and strengthen trade negotiations. Earlier this month, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced a pending $10 billion deal with a British airline—later identified as IAG—for about 30 Boeing 787 jets. according to Reuters
Although Boeing’s stock climbed 1.7% following the announcement, analysts noted that airline order commitments are not always guaranteed and can be canceled or adjusted over time.
In addition to the Boeing deal, the United States and Qatar have signed several defense agreements. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed letters of intent covering military cooperation, including the purchase of MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles and FS-LIDS defense systems.
Trump also signed a joint statement to strengthen the strategic relationship between the two countries. The announcements underscore the renewed economic and security partnership between Washington and Doha, with Boeing at the center of U.S. trade and industrial diplomacy.