President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a defense agreement with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Unlike the defense sales deal signed with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, which aims to counterbalance Iranian influence in the region, the deal with Qatar risks empowering a nation with a history of supporting terrorism and strong ties to Iran.
Qatar signed a letter of intent to purchase $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones and $1 billion in counter-drone technology, becoming the first international customer for Raytheon’s Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), designed to neutralize small unmanned aircraft.
Letters of intent were also signed between Qatar and the United States to “further strengthen our security partnership,” the White House said in a statement, outlining up to $38 billion in potential defense and security-related investments.
“The United States is in a very strong position militarily,” Trump said, sitting next to Al-Thani. “We have the best equipment anywhere in the world and you’re buying a lot of that equipment actually.”
TRUMP WELCOMED IN QATAR WITH PARADE OF CAMELS AND TESLAS: ‘THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL PERFECTO’
Trump added that some of the equipment will be on display on Thursday during an event.
Qatar also signed an agreement with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, alongside President Trump, to purchase 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines, according to the White House. The purchase is the largest 787 order in the American company’s history.
“It’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that’s pretty good,” Trump said. “It’s over $200 billion… Congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there!”
.@POTUS in Qatar: “We’re with you all the way.” pic.twitter.com/coZWPkOnau
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2025
Trump’s warm reception in Qatar stands in contrast to the president’s previous June 2017 statements on the country, in which he had accused the nation of backing terrorism.
HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS
“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said.
Since Trump’s remarks, Qatar continues to fund terrorist groups, giving over $2 billion to the Hamas-run government in Gaza, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. For several years, Hamas also hosted the leadership of Hamas, though many left Qatar last year.
Qatar, which hosts the significant United States Al Udeid Air Base, became a non-NATO ally to the United States under the Biden administration in 2022.
Trump signed a $142 billion defense sales deal with Saudi Arabia that will provide Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art war-fighting equipment and services from over a dozen American defense firms.
“Underscoring our commitment to strengthening our defense and security partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history—nearly $142 billion,” the White House said about the deal.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST TRIP
The deal is part of Saudi Arabia’s larger $600 billion investment commitment for the United States that was also announced on Tuesday.
According to the White House, the defense sales will fall into five categories: air force advancement and space capabilities; air and missile defense; maritime and coastal security; border security and land forces modernization; and information and communication systems upgrades.
The package will also include “extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces, including enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services.”
“This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training,” The White House added.
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[[{“value”:”
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a defense agreement with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Unlike the defense sales deal signed with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, which aims to counterbalance Iranian influence in the region, the deal with Qatar risks empowering a nation with a history of supporting terrorism and strong ties to Iran.
Qatar signed a letter of intent to purchase $2 billion worth of MQ-9B Reaper drones and $1 billion in counter-drone technology, becoming the first international customer for Raytheon’s Fixed Site–Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aerial System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS), designed to neutralize small unmanned aircraft.
Letters of intent were also signed between Qatar and the United States to “further strengthen our security partnership,” the White House said in a statement, outlining up to $38 billion in potential defense and security-related investments.
“The United States is in a very strong position militarily,” Trump said, sitting next to Al-Thani. “We have the best equipment anywhere in the world and you’re buying a lot of that equipment actually.”
TRUMP WELCOMED IN QATAR WITH PARADE OF CAMELS AND TESLAS: ‘THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL PERFECTO’
Trump added that some of the equipment will be on display on Thursday during an event.
Qatar also signed an agreement with Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, alongside President Trump, to purchase 210 American-made Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines, according to the White House. The purchase is the largest 787 order in the American company’s history.
“It’s the largest order of jets in the history of Boeing, that’s pretty good,” Trump said. “It’s over $200 billion… Congratulations to Boeing. Get those planes out there!”
.@POTUS in Qatar: “We’re with you all the way.” pic.twitter.com/coZWPkOnau
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 14, 2025
Trump’s warm reception in Qatar stands in contrast to the president’s previous June 2017 statements on the country, in which he had accused the nation of backing terrorism.
HOW TRUMP AND RUBIO PUT AMERICA FIRST IN 100 DAYS
“The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,” Trump said.
Since Trump’s remarks, Qatar continues to fund terrorist groups, giving over $2 billion to the Hamas-run government in Gaza, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. For several years, Hamas also hosted the leadership of Hamas, though many left Qatar last year.
Qatar, which hosts the significant United States Al Udeid Air Base, became a non-NATO ally to the United States under the Biden administration in 2022.
Trump signed a $142 billion defense sales deal with Saudi Arabia that will provide Saudi Arabia with state-of-the-art war-fighting equipment and services from over a dozen American defense firms.
“Underscoring our commitment to strengthening our defense and security partnership, the United States and Saudi Arabia signed the largest defense sales agreement in history—nearly $142 billion,” the White House said about the deal.
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT TRUMP’S MIDDLE EAST TRIP
The deal is part of Saudi Arabia’s larger $600 billion investment commitment for the United States that was also announced on Tuesday.
According to the White House, the defense sales will fall into five categories: air force advancement and space capabilities; air and missile defense; maritime and coastal security; border security and land forces modernization; and information and communication systems upgrades.
The package will also include “extensive training and support to build the capacity of the Saudi armed forces, including enhancement of Saudi service academies and military medical services.”
“This deal represents a significant investment in Saudi Arabia’s defense and regional security, built on American systems and training,” The White House added.
“}]]
