Qatar-US talks reinforce defence ties, economic cooperation

DOHA –

Qatar and the United States said on Saturday they had reviewed a range of defence and economic files and reaffirmed their security partnership during a recent round of strategic talks, as ties between the two allies continue to strengthen under US President Donald Trump.

The remarks came after the seventh Qatar-US Strategic Dialogue, held in Washington on December 17, attended by Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, according to a joint statement cited by Qatar’s foreign ministry.

The two sides renewed their commitment to their “defence and security partnership,” as recognised in a US executive order issued on September 29 to ensure Qatar’s security, the statement said.

That partnership includes “extensive upgrades to military infrastructure at Al Udeid Air Base,” aimed at enhancing air and maritime security and improving interoperability with NATO through joint training and operational initiatives, it added.

The statement said both sides reaffirmed a declaration of intent signed during Trump’s visit to Doha in May, which includes potential investments exceeding $38 billion, notably to support burden-sharing at Al Udeid and develop future defence capabilities. The two sides also discussed the establishment of the first bilateral joint air defence command centre.

Washington reiterated its commitment to Qatar’s security and territorial integrity, while Doha stressed the importance of continued cooperation to address shared security challenges.

Rubio welcomed Qatar’s acquisition of advanced military equipment, including a $2 billion deal with General Atomics for unmanned aerial systems and a separate $1 billion agreement with Raytheon to bolster counter-drone capabilities, the statement said.

Both sides underscored the “depth of the long-standing partnership” in confronting terrorist threats and crime, highlighting close cooperation in counter-terrorism and law enforcement.

Qatar and the United States have been bound by a defence cooperation agreement since June 1992.

In early October 2025, Trump signed an executive order pledging to guarantee Qatar’s security, including the use of military force if it were attacked, weeks after an Israeli air strike on Doha that sought to assassinate a Hamas delegation.

Later that month, Trump praised Qatar as a “great ally,” saying it played a major role in promoting peace in the Middle East.

On the economic front, the two countries reaffirmed the strength of their partnership, citing economic agreements worth more than $240 billion secured during Trump’s visit to Qatar in May 2025.

Among the deals signed this year is a $96 billion agreement between Qatar Airways and Boeing to purchase 210 aircraft, including 787 Dreamliners and 777X jets powered by GE Aerospace engines, supporting more than 154,000 US jobs annually and over one million jobs in the coming years, the statement said.

On broader regional security, the two sides reaffirmed their support for efforts to stabilise Syria, combat terrorism and strengthen the Syrian economy.

Officials also discussed shared strategic priorities, including Gaza, Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Haiti.

The joint statement said both sides renewed their commitment to the partnership as a force for peace and stability, pledging to confront regional and global threats together.

They expressed their expectation that the next round of the strategic dialogue would be held in Doha in 2026.