Qatar Airways signs $200 billion deal for 160 Boeing jets during Trump’s Gulf visit

“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,” Trump added during the signing ceremony, as per a Reuters report.

The deal, finalised during Trump’s second stop in the Gulf following a string of agreements in Saudi Arabia, comes at a time when the US president is actively promoting American defence and commercial exports to allies in the region.

However, specifics about the types of Boeing aircraft included in the order, or whether the 160 jets constitute firm commitments or merely options, remain unclear. Boeing has not commented publicly on the agreement, and Qatar Airways has yet to respond to media queries about the contract’s terms.

Boeing no longer publishes catalogue prices, but aviation analysts told Reuters that based on previous pricing and standard industry discounts, a deal for 160 long-range Boeing 777X aircraft alone could be valued at around $70 billion. Airlines typically receive substantial discounts for bulk orders, which means the final purchase value may differ from the announced total.

Why wouldn’t I accept a gift?

In addition to the commercial deal, Trump defended his decision to accept a $400 million luxury Boeing 747 from Qatar, which has raised ethical concerns. During an interview on Air Force One, Trump argued the gift was justified as a matter of national prestige, especially given the outdated condition of the US’s current Air Force One fleet.

“The plane that you’re on is almost 40 years old,” Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity. “When you land and you see Saudi Arabia, you see UAE and you see Qatar, and they have these brand-new Boeing 747s, mostly. You see ours next to it – this is like a totally different plane.”

Trump further justified accepting the gift, saying, “We’re the United States of America. I believe we should have the most impressive plane.”

The timing of the Qatar gift has raised eyebrows, particularly as it follows the Trump Organisation’s recent deal with Qatar for the Trump International Golf Club & Villas outside Doha. Trump added, “My attitude is why wouldn’t I accept a gift? We’re giving to everybody else, why wouldn’t I accept a gift? Because it’s going to be a couple years until the Boeings are finished,” referring to the $3.9 billion contract for a new Air Force One fleet that has been delayed until at least 2027.