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President Trump’s Middle East trip has secured nearly $2 trillion in deals for U.S. companies, including over $1.2 trillion in economic investment from Qatar. This approach focuses on business deals rather than the diplomatic peace efforts pursued by previous administrations.
The centerpiece of the Qatar agreements is a $96 billion deal for Qatar Airways to purchase 210 Boeing aircraft (787 and 777X models), described as Boeing’s largest order for these models. The White House claims this will support 154,000 U.S. jobs annually and potentially create over 1 million jobs throughout production and delivery — a significant boost for Boeing, which has lost more than $35 billion since 2019 following 737 Max crashes.
Additional Qatari deals include $243.5 billion in economic agreements, $8.5 billion in projects with McDermott and Qatar Energy, $97 billion in Parsons technology projects, and a $1 billion quantum technology investment between Quantinuum and Al Rabban Capital. Defense contracts include a $1 billion counter-drone capability agreement with Raytheon and a nearly $2 billion deal with General Atomics for MQ-9B aircraft.
The countries also signed a statement of intent outlining $38 billion in potential investments to strengthen their security partnership, including support for the Al Udeid Air Base.
Democratic lawmakers have criticized these deals, suggesting they primarily benefit Mr. Trump personally rather than the American people. They pointed to Trump Organization activities in the region, including a planned 80-floor hotel in Dubai announced by Eric Trump, and cryptocurrency, golf and luxury residential deals being finalized by President Trump’s sons.
Ethical concerns intensified when Qatar announced a gift of a $400 million Boeing 747 jumbo jet to Mr. Trump, which would serve as Air Force One during his term before being transferred to his presidential library. Critics, including Rep. Ritchie Torres, called this a “flying grift” that violates constitutional prohibitions against federal officials accepting gifts from foreign governments. Even some Trump supporters like Laura Loomer expressed disappointment, citing Qatar’s financial support of groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Mr. Trump’s trip concludes in the UAE, where additional deals involving chips, Nvidia, helicopters, and F-16 fighter jets are reportedly being negotiated.
Read more: Trump continues wheeling and dealing in Middle East, securing $1.2 trillion from Qatar
This article is written with the assistance of generative artificial intelligence based solely on Washington Times original reporting and wire services. For more information, please read our AI policy or contact Ann Wog, Managing Editor for Digital, at awog@washingtontimes.com
The Washington Times AI Ethics Newsroom Committee can be reached at aispotlight@washingtontimes.com.
