Search
AI-powered search, human-powered content.
scroll to top arrow or icon

Qatar spends big bucks on Trump’s visit

Qatar spends big bucks on Trump’s visit

The number of planes bought by Qatar.

Riley Callanan
Writer and Reporter
https://twitter.com/rileymcallanan
https://www.linkedin.com/in/riley-callanan-barnardcollege/
https://www.instagram.com/riley.callanan/

The Qatari government’s gift of a $400 million plane to Donald Trump turned out to be quite the omen, as Doha welcomed the US president to town on Wednesday by announcing that it would buy $96 billion worth of Boeing jets, plus a red carpet and a brigade of camels. The deal was topped off with a $2-billion purchase for unmanned aircraft systems, a $1-billion one for counter-drone technology, and up to $38 billion in further defense investments.

The visit marks the first time a US president has visited Qatar since George Bush. It's a big moment for the Gulf state, which has been trying to boost its influence on the world stage – despite past human-rights abuses and friendliness with terrorists – by buying sports teams, hosting World Cups, and even snagging a substantial portion of the Empire State building.