U.S. President Donald Trump visited Qatar on Wednesday, which many call a major moment in the relationship between the two countries. This visit, full of ceremonies, agreements, and a state dinner, shows how much things have changed between the U.S. and the small but wealthy Gulf country.
A Warm Welcome in Doha
President Trump was welcomed with a red-carpet ceremony in Doha, the capital of Qatar, by Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, the emir of the country. The emir told Trump, “I know that you want to bring peace to this region,” highlighting Qatar’s hope for better ties with the United States.
Trump returned the kindness by calling Sheikh Tamim a “great gentleman” and a “friend of mine.” He admired the white marble buildings, calling them “perfecto,” and praised Qatar’s efforts to help mediate peace in West Asia and even in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
From Criticism to Friendship
Eight years ago, President Trump had strongly criticized Qatar, calling it a supporter of terrorism. At the time, he sided with Qatar’s regional rivals, such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who had placed a blockade on the country. But now, things have changed. Qatar has worked hard to improve its image, especially in the U.S., spending millions on lobbying and hosting major global events like the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
One of the lobbyists helping Qatar in Washington was Pam Bondi, who now serves as Trump’s attorney general. This change in relationship shows how successful Qatar has been in turning its image around.
Big Business Deals Signed
During Trump’s visit, the U.S. and Qatar signed several major agreements. According to the White House, these deals are expected to bring in at least $1.2 trillion in economic exchange. Among the deals are major defense agreements and a huge airplane order from Qatar Airways.
Trump originally said Qatar would buy more than 160 Boeing aircraft worth over $200 billion. However, the White House later clarified that the order includes 210 aircraft worth about $96 billion. These deals are part of Qatar’s ongoing efforts to strengthen ties with the U.S. and compete with neighbors like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The Jetliner Gift
Although it was not mentioned during the public events, Qatar reportedly promised President Trump a luxury jetliner. Trump has said in the past that he would be “stupid” to turn down such a generous gift, even though it has received criticism from both Democrats and some of his MAGA supporters.
The gift was not only a sign of friendship but also part of Qatar’s efforts to match the large investments being made by its regional competitors.
Military and Business Ties
Qatar is a key partner for the U.S. military. It has spent $8 billion developing the Al Udeid Air Base, which the U.S. uses as a central part of its operations in the region. Beyond military cooperation, the Trump Organization, led by Trump’s children, recently signed a deal to build a golf course and real estate project in Qatar with a government-owned Qatari company.
Qatar has also played a role in international diplomacy. In 2023, after Hamas-led attacks on Israel, Qatar became a critical link in talks between Hamas and Israel. The country also helped mediate the return of children taken from Ukraine to Russia after the 2022 invasion.
FIFA and Future Plans
Trump’s visit included a celebration of the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States. He was joined in Qatar by Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA. Qatar’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup had put the country in the global spotlight, and now it’s supporting the U.S. as it prepares to take the stage in the next tournament.
A Strategic Move
For Qatar, hosting Trump is more than just a celebration — it’s a well-calibrated move. The country wants to show it can stand on equal footing with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and Trump’s visit to all three countries during his trip shows that Qatar has earned a seat at the table.
What was once a tense relationship has now become a close partnership, with billions in deals, shared goals, and strong personal ties. As Trump himself said during the visit, “We’ve liked each other and worked with each other. And now we can work in the highest capacity.”