President Donald Trump faced criticism for his plan to accept a $400 million luxury jet from the Qatari government but quickly shifted attention to a significant deal with Boeing. During his visit to Doha, Trump announced a $96 billion contract with Boeing, marking it as the largest-ever order of widebody planes. The White House claims this deal will support 154,000 American jobs annually, although the specifics of these calculations remain unclear.
Trump justified his acceptance of Qatar’s offer for a new Boeing 747-8 jetliner to replace Air Force One by highlighting the outdated state of the current presidential aircraft. He emphasized the stark contrast between the aging US plane and the modern Boeing jets used by countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar.
The Boeing deal was a central part of a series of economic agreements between the US and Qatar valued at over $243 billion. Additionally, Trump secured a statement of intent for more than $38 billion in future defense investments from Qatar, further strengthening the economic and security ties between the two nations. This move comes amidst a backdrop of shifting alliances and negotiations on various fronts, showcasing Trump’s focus on bolstering American interests through strategic economic and defense agreements.
