Qatar defends gift of jet to US
Qatar has dismissed criticism over its proposed gift of a luxury Boeing jet to the US, insisting the move is a straightforward government transaction. In an interview with CNN on Wednesday, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani suggested the offer was part of normal diplomatic relations and not a personal favor.
The $400 million Boeing 747-8 would be handed to the Department of Defense and replace Air Force One, while the US government awaits a delivery of new presidential jets from Boeing; the order has been set back years by the troubled plane maker.
Some Democratic lawmakers, however, have accused US President Donald Trump of using the presidency for personal gain.
'This is a very clear exchange that's happening between two governments… It has nothing to do with personnel,' Al-Thani has told CNN. 'I don't see any controversy.'
Al-Thani also refuted concerns voiced by some Republicans that Qatar may seek to influence the US administration.
'Qatar has always been there for the US when it's needed,' he said, pointing to counterterrorism collaboration between the two states. Qatari help with evacuation during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, and mediated hostage releases involving US citizens in Gaza.
Trump argued that the jet is a 'gift from a Nation' to the US government, not to him personally. 'Only a FOOL would not accept this,' he claimed.
The White House's current fleet of Boeing 747-200 jets, which have been in service since the early 1990s, has faced ongoing technical issues. A contract for two new Air Force One planes based on the 747-8 has been plagued by delays and rising costs, pushing delivery from the original 2024 target to as late as 2027 or 2028.
Al-Thani's comments came as Trump visited Qatar on Wednesday and Thursday as part of his tour of the Middle East. During the visit, the White House announced an economic exchange agreement between the two countries worth $1.2 trillion, which included a 'historic' Boeing deal for up to 210 jets.
The gifting of the jet was expected to be confirmed during Trump's visit to Doha. However, the President has departed, and no official announcement has been made so far.
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