In a landmark deal signaling strong U.S.-Middle East trade relations, Qatar Airways has placed a massive $96 billion order for Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines. The agreement, announced Wednesday, underscores the Biden administration’s efforts to strengthen economic and defense ties with key Gulf allies.  

A Record-Breaking Deal

The order includes up to 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 777X widebody jets, alongside more than 400 GEnx and GE9X engines from GE Aerospace. While the headline figure does not account for typical industry discounts—which can range from 50% to 60%—the deal still marks Boeing’s largest widebody and 787 order to date, as well as GE Aerospace’s biggest widebody engine sale.

For Qatar Airways, the purchase represents the largest aircraft order in its history, positioning the carrier as the Middle East’s leading operator of the 787 Dreamliner and supporting its ambitious international expansion plans.  

U.S. Jobs and Economic Impact

The White House highlighted the deal’s substantial economic benefits, estimating that it will sustain 154,000 U.S. jobs annually, with over 1 million jobs supported throughout the production and delivery timeline.  

Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, emphasized the long-term partnership, stating, “Our team is looking forward to building 787s and 777s for Qatar Airways into the next decade.”

Part of Broader U.S.-Qatar Agreements

The Boeing-GE deal is one component of a broader $243.5 billion package of U.S.-Qatar agreements spanning defense, energy, and technology. Key components include:  

  • Raytheon securing a $1 billion contract to enhance Qatar’s counter-drone capabilities.  
  • General Atomics landing a nearly $2 billion deal for MQ-9B drone systems.  

These agreements follow a series of major investments announced during the administration’s Middle East tour, including:  

  • Saudi Arabia’s $600 billion commitment to U.S. tech firms like AMD, Alphabet, Oracle, and Uber.  
  • $80 billion in tech investments from Google, DataVolt, Oracle, and others.
  • GE Vernova’s $14.2 billion energy equipment deal with Saudi Arabia.  
  • Nvidia and AMD supplying AI chips worth billions to Saudi Arabia’s AI initiatives.  

Strategic Implications

The agreements reflect a concerted push to deepen U.S. economic engagement in the Gulf, particularly in aerospace, defense, and emerging technologies like AI. With Qatar’s latest order reinforcing Boeing’s recovery amid recent challenges, and GE Aerospace expanding its global footprint, the deals underscore the enduring strength of American manufacturing and innovation in the global market.  

As the administration continues its diplomatic efforts, further collaborations in infrastructure, energy, and defense are expected to follow, solidifying the U.S. as a key partner in the region’s economic and technological transformation.