On May 14, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that the Qatari government has made a significant purchase of 160 Boeing jets, marking this as “the biggest jet in Boeing history.”
This deal follows Trump’s earlier investment of $600 billion with Saudi Arabia during his latest visit to the Middle East.
“It’s over $200 billion, but over $160 for the Jets. That’s great. Congratulations to Records, Kelly and Boeing. Put out those plans and put them out there,” Trump remarked, referring to Boeing CEO Kelly Autoberg.
“We can work together to help the entire region unlock that possibility,” Trump said to Qatar’s Chief Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. “There are incredible possibilities here. Such a wonderful, such a rich land, beautiful, magnificent. It’s just a magnificent place, and you unleash that possibility.”
A fact sheet from the White House revealed that the deal could include a “maximum” of 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and a significant number of other aircraft, stating it holds the record for the largest widebody and 787 orders ever.
“This historic agreement supports 154,000 U.S. jobs per year and sustains over 1 million jobs in the process of producing and delivering this transaction,” the fact sheet highlighted.
Qatar Airlines CEO Badr Mohammed Al Mia described the deal as “an important next step for Qatar Airways on our path, as we invest in the cleanest, youngest, and most efficient fleet of aviation in the world.”
“This allows us to meet the strong demands of airlines, so we can seamlessly connect passengers to the world more than anyone else,” he added.
This agreement builds upon Trump’s acceptance of a luxurious Boeing 747-8 gift from Qatar, valued at around $400 million.
In a recent interview with Fox News, Trump defended his choice to accept the gift, saying, “Some people say, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t accept a gift to the country.’ Why does my attitude not accept gifts? We give to everyone else. Why don’t we accept gifts?”
During his first term, Trump tasked Boeing with building two new jets to replace the current Air Force One fleet. However, due to delays, the first is not expected until 2027, with the second following in 2028, resulting in additional costs and frustration within his administration.
“They’re pretty late,” Trump noted. “Another confusion I inherited from Biden. It’ll be a while before we get them.”
The deal also outlines potential investments aimed at strengthening security partnerships, such as supporting shared responsibilities at Aldede Air Force Base and enhancing air and maritime defense capabilities.
“Today’s announcement is based on yesterday’s $600 billion investment commitment secured in Saudi Arabia,” the White House concluded.
