Description: US President Donald Trump continued his economic and investment Gulf tour visiting Qatar where he met the country’s emir Tamin bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha. The leaders exchanged pleasantries and quickly addressed the public before taking off to a 4 – hour long meeting where key international issues were reportedly discussed such as Israel’s war in Gaza and the Ukraine – Russia war. Trump and Al Thani also mulled several multi – billion-dollar agreements most notably between Boeing and Qatar Airways, with the latter purchasing up to 120 planes and components worth approximately $96 billion. Other significant agreements included the ones between the US company Parsons and the Qatari Al Rabban for a capital investment in quantum technologies and workforce development valued at $1 billion. The official statements didn’t outline a narrative concerning the war in Gaza, however, US Special envoy Steve Witkoff was present in Doha, and he reportedly signaled that substantiated progress has been made.
Impact: Trump’s Gulf tour saw its grand opening in Saudi Arabia and continued in a similar fashion in Qatar where the strengthening of strategic ties between the countries was shadowed by multi – billion – dollar investment agreements. Qatar, labeled as a terrorist – funding country by Trump himself in his first term, has proven to become a larger and influential strategic hub for the US within the Gulf bloc of countries which include Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Trump’s statements emphasized the country’s involvement in the peace process on the war in both Gaza and Ukraine which signifies that Qatar currently possesses crucial diplomatic and soft – power portfolio which could impact the region’s power and geostrategic dynamics. Trump’s strengthening of ties with the Gulf countries widens the diplomatic and strategic rift with Israel which could be perceived as the US attempt to force Israel towards impactful engagement in the ceasefire proposals mediated by countries such Qatar.