Qatar–United States relations
Qatar |
United States |
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Qatar and the United States are strategic allies. Qatar has been designated a major non-NATO ally by the United States.[1]
History
The United States formed diplomatic relations with Qatar on 19 March 1972, when diplomat
During the
On 30 January 2018 an inaugural United States-Qatar Strategic Dialogue meeting was held, co-chaired by U.S. Secretary of State
Educational ties
Hundreds of Qatari students study in the United States. Six U.S. universities have branch campuses in Qatar's
The relationship between Qatar and the American Academy began in the 1970s and 1980s. In the twenty-first century, Qatar has become the largest foreign donor. Between 2001 and 2021, Qatar donated $4.7 billion to a variety of academic institutions across the United States.[24][25]
Diplomatic exchanges
Diplomatic visits
Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani visited Washington in July 2019,[26] and President George W. Bush visited Qatar in 2003 where he spoke to troops stationed there.[27]
Post Sheikh Tamim and Donald Trump’s meeting in July 2019, Qatar agreed to purchase "tremendous amounts of military equipment" and Boeing planes from the United States.[31][32] The deal has been signed with some of the major US companies, including Boeing, General Electric, Raytheon, Gulfstream Aerospace and Chevron Phillips Chemical and is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars. Sheikh Tamim also announced to double Qatar’s current economic partnership of more than $185 billion with the US.[33]
Diplomatic efforts
Qatar mediated a deal between the United States and Iran, which in September 2023 saw the release of five prisoners in each country and the unfreezing of US$6 billion of Iranian funds, which had been frozen due to sanctions imposed by the U.S.[34][35] The U.S. citizens were flown to Doha and greeted by U.S. ambassador to Qatar Timmy T. Davis[36] and Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker[37] before boarding a plane to Washington, D.C..[38] U.S. President Biden thanked Sheik Tamim and Qatari officials for their role in the mediation as well as establishing a "Humanitarian channel" for Iran.[39] The US$6 billion were released to banks in Doha[38] under the condition that Iran could use the funds only for humanitarian purposes.[35]
During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Qatari officials set up meetings with both countries, hoping to make progress on further talks regarding Iran's uranium enrichment and export of drones.[40]
In October 7, 2023, the
Residential staff
- United States
Principal U.S. officials include:
The U.S. maintains an embassy[44] in Doha, Qatar.
- Qatar
Principal Qatari officials include:
- Ambassador—Sheikh Meshal bin Hamad Al Thani: Ambassador of Qatar to the United States since December 2016[45]
Qatar maintains an
Bilateral Trade
Qatar and the United States enjoy close economic and trade relations. The United States is Qatar's fifth trading partner and the primary source of imports which amounts to $4.108bn. During January–August 2021, the Qatar-US bilateral trade reached $3.2bn.[46]
The US has officially designated Qatar as a major non-NATO ally, enhancing the partnership between Doha and Washington and giving the Gulf country special economic and military privileges in its relationship with the US.[47] This marks Qatar's third Gulf ally, following Kuwait and Bahrain. The US State Department praised the designation as a symbol of the close relationship and respect for the friendship between the two countries.[48][49]
Military
Beginning in 1992, Qatar has built intimate military ties with the United States, and is now the location of U.S. Central Command’s Forward Headquarters and the Combined Air Operations Center.
As of 2015[update], the following American bases currently exist:
In 2003, the US military base Doha International Air Base (also known as Camp Snoopy) was closed.[50]
Former
In 2014, the United States sold $11 billion worth of arms to Qatar, including AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Patriot and Javelin defense systems.[53]
In June 2017, Qatar signed a $12 billion deal to buy 36 F-15QA strike aircraft from the United States, with Boeing as the prime contractor on the sale.[54]
Disaster aid
Qatar donated $100 million in aid to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast in August 2005.[55]
When Hurricane Harvey hit the state of Texas from August to September 2017, Qatar's ambassador announced on 8 September that the country would be donating $30 million in aid to help rebuild Texas.[56]
References
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
- ^ "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: Qatar". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
- ^ "Background Note: Qatar". U.S. Department of State. 19 January 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
- ^ "The Importance of Qatar to the US Economy". Arab-American Business. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
- ^ "Higher Education in Qatar". www.edu.gov.qa. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Our Universities in Qatar". www.qf.org.qa. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ "Military Bases in Qatar". Military Bases. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
- ^ a b c "Qatar row: Trump claims credit for isolation". BBC.
- ^ Trump, Donald J. [@realDonaldTrump] (6 June 2017). "During my recent trip to the Middle East I stated that there can no longer be funding of Radical Ideology. Leaders pointed to Qatar – look!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ Trump, Donald J. [@realDonaldTrump] (6 June 2017). "So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off. They said they would take a hard line on funding..." (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ Trump, Donald J. [@realDonaldTrump] (6 June 2017). "...extremism, and all reference was pointing to Qatar. Perhaps this will be the beginning of the end to the horror of terrorism!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "The Latest: Trump says Qatar dispute could end terror". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017.
- ^ "U.S. military praises Qatar, despite Trump tweet". Reuters. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ "Trump appears to take credit for Gulf nations' move against Qatar". CNN.
- ^ "Tillerson says break with Qatar by Saudi Arabia, others won't affect counter-terrorism". CNBC. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Trump sides with Saudis, other Arab nations against Qatar". ABC News. Go.
- ^ "Siding against ally Qatar, Trump injects US into Arab crisis". The Chronicle Herald. The Canadian Press. 6 June 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2017.
- ^ Gaouette, Nicole; Browne, Ryan. "Trump reverses course in Qatar call". CNN. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ "Qatar vows no surrender in Gulf crisis as U.S., Kuwait seek solution". Reuters. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
- ^ Calamur, Krishnadev (31 January 2018). "America Wins the Gulf Crisis". The Atlantic. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ "Joint Statement of the Inaugural United States-Qatar Strategic Dialogue". U.S. Department of State. 30 January 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
- ^ School of Foreign Service in Qatar: Georgetown University Archived 6 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Northwestern University in Qatar". Retrieved 8 November 2008.
- ^ "הפוליטיקה מאחורי תרומות הענק: האקדמיה בארה"ב הפכה לזרוע ההסתה של קטאר". www.zman.co.il (in Hebrew). 30 January 2024. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ "College Foreign Gift Reporting". Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ "Obama, Qatar's Amir Tamim After Their Meeting". U.S. Department of State. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^ "George W. Bush – Remarks to Troops – Sayliyah, Qatar". Presidential Rhetoric. 5 June 2003. Retrieved 13 February 2012.
- ^ Blitzer, Wolf (11 December 2002). "Rumsfeld secures cooperation in the Gulf". CNN. Archived from the original on 18 October 2010. Retrieved 8 November 2008.
- ^ "Public Liaison E-newsletter" (PDF). U.S. Department of State. 22 February 2010. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^ "Kerry, Qatari Prime Minister Hamad in Doha, Qatar". U.S. Department of State. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
- ^ "US and Qatar ink deals for 'tremendous amounts' of military weapons and Boeing planes". ABC News. 10 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ^ "Qatar Agrees to Buy U.S. Aircraft, Engines, Defense Equipment". Bloomberg. 9 July 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ "Trump expands embrace of Persian Gulf monarchies as Qatar inks deals with U.S. companies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
- ^ "Why the U.S.-Iran Prisoner Swap Matters". Time. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Iran prisoner swap: US citizens freed in $6bn deal". BBC News. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Qatar's separate talks with Iran, US on drones, nuclear programme: Report". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Salari, Fatemeh (19 September 2023). "Qatar says prisoner swap could pave way for better understanding between Iran-US". Doha News. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ a b "Five Americans freed in Iran prisoner swap land in US". BBC News. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "On Iran's Release of Unjustly Detained U.S. Citizens". United States Department of State. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ Nakhoul, Samia; Mills, Andrew; Hafezi, Parisa (20 September 2023). "Analysis: Qatar pursues US-Iranian nuclear steps after detainee swap". Reuters. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
- ^ "Biden thanks Qatar, Israel after 2 American hostages freed by Hamas". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 23 October 2023.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Cox, Eric; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal (21 October 2023). "Released by Hamas, American mother, daughter reunited with family". Reuters. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
- ^ "Embassy of the United States in Doha, Qatar". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Embassy of Qatar in Washington, D.C."
- ^ "Qatari-US trade reaches $3.2bn during Jan-Aug". thepeninsulaqatar.com. 13 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
- ^ "Biden designates Qatar as major non-NATO ally of U.S." Reuters. 10 March 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "US officially designates Qatar as a major non-NATO ally". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 August 2023.
- ^ "U.S. downsizing in Gulf, quitting Camp Snoopy". World Tribune. 13 May 2003. Retrieved 3 August 2015.
- ^ "Sanctions, leaving military base 'possible options against Qatar'". 27 May 2017.
- ^ Lendon, Brad (5 June 2017). "Qatar hosts largest US military base in Mideast". CNN. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- ^ "Qatar buying US helicopters, missiles in multi-billion dollar deal". Business Line. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
- ^ "Qatar signs $12 billion deal to buy F-15 jets from U.S." Reuters. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
- ^ Stephanie Strom (2 May 2006). "Qatar Grants Millions in Aid to New Orleans". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
- ^ "Qatar donates $30m to help Harvey victims in Texas". Al Jazeera. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 9 September 2017.
- This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.