 "Qatar Airways inks record $200 billion deal for 160 Boeing jets during Trump visit")
Qatar Airways on Wednesday signed a major deal with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing to purchase 160 jets, in an agreement valued at $200 billion.
The signing took place in the presence of President Donald Trump and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha.
The deal marks a significant milestone in US-Qatar relations and was sealed during Trump’s second stop on his multi-nation Gulf tour. A day earlier, the President Trump concluded a series of high-profile investment and defence agreements in Saudi Arabia.
The agreement comes amid broader US efforts to bolster economic partnerships in the region, particularly in aviation and defence sectors.
Trump said Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who signed the deal with Qatar Airways CEO Badr Mohammed Al-Meer next to Trump and the Qatari emir, told him “it’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that’s good”.
Trump added: “It’s over $200 billion but 160 in terms of the jets, that’s fantastic. So that’s a record, Kelly, and congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there, get them out there.”
It’s not clear which Boeing aircraft models would be part of the deal and whether the orders from Qatar are firm, which require a deposit and several contractual obligations, or are options.
Boeing no longer issues catalogue prices but based on the most recent published value for its most expensive jet, the 777X, a deal for 160 of the long-range aircraft would be worth some $70 billion. Aviation analysts say that airlines typically get large discounts for bulk deals.
Boeing was not immediately available for comment. Qatar Airways did not immediately respond to a request for clarification or comment.
Trump said the two leaders also discussed Russia and Ukraine, as well as Iran, which he says Qatar has been “a great help” with.
He said he believes the Iran situation “will work out”.
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