Biden 'crowns' Qatar as major non-NATO ally, inks major Boeing deal
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A meeting between Biden and Sheikh Tamim sees a strengthening in bilateral relations and a deal with Boeing worth $7 billion.
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Joe Biden holds a bilateral meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, in the Oval Office at the White House January 31, 2022. (Reuters)
On Monday's meeting between the US and Qatar, US President Joe Biden said that he is briefing the US Congress about his prospects to designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally.
"I am notifying Congress that I will designate Qatar as a major non-NATO ally to reflect the importance of our relationship," Biden told reporters as he was in a meeting with Qatar emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamas Al Thani.
Furthermore, Biden has also welcomed a major deal between Qatar Airways and Boeing concerning the supply of 34 777-8 wide-body cargo aircraft. This deal will uphold tens and thousands of jobs in the United States, according to the US president. This deal, inked on Monday, also paves the way for ordering 16 more in the future.
"Boeing today launched the new 777-8 Freighter and expanded its market-leading 777X and freighter families of jetliners with an order for up to 50 aircraft from one of the world’s largest cargo carriers, Qatar Airways," Qatar Airways said in a statement.
"Qatar Airways will be the 777-8 Freighter launch customer with a firm order for 34 jets and options for 16 more, a total purchase that would be worth more than $20 billion at current list prices and the largest freighter commitment in Boeing history by value."
The deliveries of the 777-8 Freighters will commence in 2027.
Furthermore, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding for an order of 25 Boeing 737-10 aircraft and the purchase rights of 25 additional ones of the same model, according to the statement.
The total value of the ordeal regarding the 737 Max aircraft is $7 billion.
The agreement was signed in the White House, Washington, witnessed by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, Qatari Ambassador Sheikh Mishaal bin Hamad Al Thani, the Director of the White House National Economic Council Brian Deese, and CEO and President of Boeing Dave Calhoun.
